Yummmm!!!!!

It's chocolate, it's junk food, and I choose to call it "kind of" healthy! :)

I've heard of bean fudge lately on a couple of other food storage sites, and I FINALLY decided to try it. It's actually yummy!

My kids, my husband, & 3 neighbor kids had NO clue there was almost a pound of beans in this stuff! They couldn't quit eating it!

This fudge is VERY rich & filling.

I rolled mine into balls & hardened them a little in the fridge. Here's the photo & recipe:

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15 oz. canned black or pinto beans, rinsed & drained
1 c. baking cocoa
3/4 cup melted butter
1 T. vanilla extract
2 lbs. powdered sugar (C&H brand really tastes best)
Nuts (optional)

The SECRET: Mix everything except powdered sugar in BLENDER! Then, add mixture to powdered sugar & blend with electric mixer or hand beaters in a separate bowl.

It'll be a little stiff. You can either press it into a 9x13 casserole dish, or roll them into balls.

Granola Bars Revamped -

The original version was pretty good, but you gotta try this:

I reduced the amount of peanut butter, added marshmallows, & also added ground flax seed & wheat germ for more fiber & nutrition. Can't even taste it in there, so the kids won't know! Here's the basic recipe. I don't usually measure exactly. I kinda guess on the liquid stuff. MORE of the items to melt is better than less, because it's the glue. You don't want it dry & crumbly.

(I've changed a couple of things from the old version, and it seems to work a little better for me. AND - I usually double this recipe, cause we eat them a lot!)

3 c. regular oats
1 1/2 c. rice krispies
1 c. chocolate chips (semi sweet)
1 c. mini marshmallows
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. wheat germ (optional)
1/4 c. ground flax seed (optional)

Mix oats, rice krispies, wheat germ, flax seed, and HALF of chocolate chips in large mixing bowl.

Mix other half of chocolate chips, brown sugar, honey, marshmallows, peanut butter, & vanilla in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir well. Microwave for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until completely melted & pourable.

Pour over top of dry mix. With large sturdy spoon (wood or stainless work best) - mix until well coated & gewey.

Transfer mixture to large casserole dish or jelly roll pan & spread to edges. Top with a large piece of wax paper, & begin firmly pressing granola bars flat. The wax paper keeps your hands clean :)

Allow to cool (about 1/2 hour or so)... then cut into bars. I cut mine into small squares.

You can individually wrap each bar in saran wrap for a quick grab & go snack, or store them in an airtight container.

*If you want them to look more 'chunky' - like rocky road style, add an extra 1/2 cut of marshmallows to the dry ingredients. They'll melt a little, but there will be small areas of white marble mixed in. The kids will love it!

Better Granola Bars!

Check out the no bake granola bar recipe I posted on August 27, 2008. I have since re-vamped it, which has greatly improved how it holds together. If you had trouble with your bars crumbling, try making them with the new method.

Basically I melted half the chocolate chips with the other things I melted, AND I now add more of the "melting" items than I used too. This really helps everything bond better. You can find this recipe by clicking on "oats" in the LABELS section to the right or by clicking here!

I also throw all the melty stuff in a big Pyrex measuring bowl & mix it up. Then I microwave it for about 3 minutes... till it's hot and bubbly.

The Most Awesome Granola Bars!!!

I have been searching for a good granola bar recipe forEVER! I've made lots of different varieties, and I've finally found the one I think tops them all. At least at our house! They're sooo yummy & everything comes from your food storage. The BEST part? They're no bake!

I cut them into little 1 inch bite size pieces, & they last longer that way. My kids will get 1 or 2 & that satisfies them. So here goes:

(I have changed this recipe a little since I first posted it, and it works better. Here is the updated version):

1 1/2 C. RICE KRISPIES
3 C. REGULAR OATS
1/2 C. CHOCOLATE CHIPS

(Mix the above ingredients in a large bowl)

1/2 C. BROWN SUGAR
1/2 C. HONEY (OR CORN SYRUP)
1/2 C. PEANUT BUTTER (WE LIKE CRUNCHY!)
1/2 C. CHOCOLATE CHIPS
1 TSP. VANILLA

MIX SUGAR, HONEY, PEANUT BUTTER, VANILLA, & CHOCOLATE CHIPS IN A POT OR MICROWAVE JUST UNTIL MELTED.

***I HAVE FOUND IF I ADD A LITTLE MORE THAN 1/2 C. OF THE WET INGREDIENTS, IT HOLDS THE BARS TOGETHER BETTER. HEAP THOSE HALF CUPS!

- - - - - - - - - -

Pour over dry mix & stir well. It's ok if the chocolate chips melt, because it will help hold the granola bars together better.

SPREAD MIX IN A LIGHTLY GREASED 9X13 PAN & PACK VERY FIRMLY!!! ***I LIGHTLY GREASE MY FINGERS & PRESS THEM DOWN AS HARD AS I CAN :)

Let cool & cut into squares or bars. Store in air tight container or wrap each bar in plastic wrap.

*OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS - TO YOUR OWN LIKING:
WHEAT GERM
COCONUT
CINNAMON
RAISINS / CRAISINS
CRUSHED PECANS
CRUSHED ALMONDS

YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH MAKE ANY FLAVOR YOU WANT TOO! I LIKE TO DOUBLE THE RECIPE, WHICH MAKES MY BARS THICKER.

NOW, IS THAT EASY, OR WHAT!!!