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Well, winter is officially here. Snow was on the ground yesterday morning. It was only a very light dusting…you could really only see in on the piles of leaves and on the rooftops. But it was enough to get my kids super excited. My son is hoping for lots of the powdery white stuff this winter. Is it bad that I am wishing against snow? Last year we only had one big snowfall. That’s my kind of winter;-)
When snow comes, I think about hot chocolate. We almost always have a big container of the powdered stuff in the cupboards. We used to buy the little boxes with the packets because they were convenient and the kids could easily make their own. But then we realized how much hot chocolate they go through that way. It is actually cheaper to buy one of those bigger containers…that way you aren’t paying for all the packaging.
I actually got the idea for these granola bars from Target. They were in the holiday aisle with some pumpkin cheesecake cookies I think. It is one of their Target brand winter specials. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to try to make some at home. I mean peppermint and hot chocolate in a granola bar? What’s not to love? We needed more hot chocolate mix anyway with it being colder outside now, so I think it was perfect timing that I saw that box. Never mind that I also saw so many other things that I “had” to have. Target sure knows how to get you to buy things you didn’t even come in for.
These bars got a thumbs up from my husband. That’s huge because he isn’t a big sweets eater. He took one as he was leaving for work. As he walked past the outside kitchen window, he tapped on it to get my attention. He gave me a thumbs up with a nod of his head and a big smile. Score!!! Then the kids had some after school. I had to stop them from eating more because dinner was soon. My youngest doesn’t like sugar stuff that much either, and he even said they were good. Double score!
It is always an achievement to get my toughest critics to give things a thumbs up! So if they say it’s good, you better believe it’s good!
I was planning on being so good around these bars. One bar isn’t bad…scratch that…now that I think about it, I think I had another one. No wonder I have to work out so much. I can’t even remember how much food I eat;-) It is so hard to resist eating the yummy stuff I make when I take pictures of it.
Granola bars are a great after school snack. My kids love when I have a pan of them sitting on the counter. Here are some other versions that I have made this year that you might like.
Try Caramel Apple granola bars , No Bake M&M granola bars ,
or Caramel Oatmeal granola bars…they were all devoured in our house.
Homemade granola bars made with powdered hot chocolate mix and peppermint crunch chips
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, extract, and salt and beat again. Sift together the flour, oats, and hot chocolate mix. Slowly add to butter mixture. Stir in the peppermint pieces and marshmallow bits by hand.
- Press into a 9x13 greased pan. Bake at 350* for 22 minutes. Let cool. Cut into bars.
- Place the white chips and shortening into a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 20 seconds and stir. Repeat until melted and smooth. Spoon into a plastic bag and cut a small hole in one corner. Drizzle over cooled bars. Let set. Store in a sealed container.
Notes
Vanilla extract can be substituted if chocolate is not available.
Shared on: Show & Share, Work It, Round Up, Treasures, Show & Tell, Creative Thursday, 36th Ave., Chic & Crafty, Pin It, I’m Lovin It, Kitchen Fun, Friday Flair, Open House, Weekend Potluck, What’s Shakin, Free For All, Weekend Wrap Up, Show & Tell, Strut Your Stuff, Sundae Scoop,
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Jocelyn is the baker, photographer, and writer behind Inside BruCrew Life. She is married to her best friend, and they have three great kids. She spends her days baking sweet treats, and then trying to find ways to give the treats away without eating them all. Grab a cup of coffee and visit while she shares life from their kitchen.
These look delicious Jocelyn! I love making homemade granola bars!!! This is such a fun, christmas-like twist!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Rum Glazed Tropical Meatball Skewers
Thanks girl! I am all about the Christmas twists these days:-)
My boys always loved granola bars when they were young. Now you’ve got me thinking to switch out the chocolate extract for coffee extract and watch them disappear!
The Witch’s Kitchen recently posted..Back on Facebook~
You read my mind:-) I actually have a mocha one with coffee extract that I haven’t posted yet. I’m sure those will disappear too!!!
great minds think alike!
The Witch’s Kitchen recently posted..Back on Facebook~
These look and sound amazing! Your pictures are beautiful too! Thanks for sharing….adding to my must-try list!
Liz recently posted..Chocolate Stout Cake with Forty Creek Cream Icing
i love granola bars, as you know miss Jocelyn! And I am ALWAYS looking for new flavors and combinations. Never thought to add peppermint to a chocolate granola bar – but I like your style.
sally @ sallys baking addiction recently posted..cookies n’ cream peanut butter bark.
Thank goodness for Target inspiring this fun combo! I know how much you love your granola:-)
Homemade granola bars totally beat anything that you can buy in the store. And the flavor combo of chocolate and peppermint sounds delicious!
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection recently posted..Chocolate Pecan Pie
I totally agree with you. Homemade granola bars are so much better tasting than store bought ones!!!
Oh those look amazing! A great way to start the day! I eat a granola bar almost every morning on the way to work!
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen recently posted..Amaretto Fluff Dip
I love how quick and easy they are to make and to eat:-) One every morning sounds like a good idea!!!
These look GOOD, Jocelyn!! I think these will make for a great treat for my boys.
Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe recently posted..Vintage Christmas Wrapping & Decor {Lifestyle Crafts}
Thanks Michele. Your boys are going to love them…at least I hope so;-)
Long live mint chocolate everything at Christmastime! Love the idea of working the flavor combo into a granola bar. Thanks for the inspiration!
Erin | The Law Student’s Wife recently posted..Design Launch + Apron Giveaway
These are right up my alley Jocelyn! LOVE peppermint hot chocolate – and in a granola bar? I’m right with you – I eat so much I forget I had 4 cookies at lunch when I eat 4 more after dinner…
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Lemon Meringue Pie Fudge
I adore peppermint and hot chocolate this time of year. Putting it into breakfast food was my best idea yet:-)
Do you think I could do this as just regular granola or would I have to change things up? I’ve only masse granola once so I’m not really sure what I’m doing. Thanks!
You could make them plain too…I actually added another one to the bottom of the post for you. All you would have to do is leave out all the extra things…chips, caramel, and marshmallows. They will still bake the same.
that recipe looks delicious and i have pinned that one as well. i guess i should rephrase what i was trying to say. can i make this and not put it in bar form? just bake everything and then add the stuff that would melt after it’s cooled? sorry for the confusion!
What the what?! Peppermint hot chocolate in a granola bar? This is what dreams are made out of!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Super Crumb Cake
You know it;-) Best dream ever!!!!
These are so fun! They sound delicious, I wouldn’t be able to have just one either
Great photos!
Meghan recently posted..Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip with Gingerbread Toasts
Up and down the baking and spice aisles and no luck with chocolate extract
. Any other suggestion, shoppin now and can’t wait to make these for the kids.
I bought the chocolate extract at Walmart. The brand is Watkins. You can also just use vanilla if you can’t find it. Happy shopping!!!
Jocelyn these are so creative and love the flavors involved and using hot chocolate mix IN the recipe – I bet it adds such a great flavor, then with the mint, too!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Caramel Apple Crumble Pie
So YUM!! And I totally agree about the snow. SO glad I’m not in Utah anymore!!
Ashton @ Something Swanky recently posted..Pecan Pie Bread Pudding
I am really glad that I am not in Utah too:-) I am good with one good snowstorm per winter!!!
I am IN LOVE with these. I probably say that about all of your recipes, though–you come up with the best stuff! But I often eat a granola bar in the car on the way to work, and these would be a welcome change from the packaged ones. Peppermint and cocoa is an awesome combo!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Maple Bacon Pecan Cinnamon Rolls {and What’s in Your Kitchen Wednesday}
You are so sweet…I heart you:-) These bars were so good…I seriously just ate the last two. Now I need more!!!
Sweet!!! We tried some of the Target ones that you’re talking about…they were yummy. But I’ll definitely take an entire 9×13 pan of these, I like the size of your granola bars much better than the ones in the box
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos recently posted..{Cranberry Week} White Chocolate Cranberry Ice Cream
Yes, my bar size is about double the size of one prepackaged one. Bigger is always better:-)
These are great. Saw them on Southern Lovely. I should have known that picture was you. Great find and lovely pictures.
Tumbleweed Contessa recently posted..Ripe-Restaurant Memories 5
I haven’t made homemade granola bars before, but I must try these! They look so good.
My hubby doesn’t care for sweets much either. Always nice to get that stamp of approval!
Bailey @ Bailey Bakes recently posted..Pumpkin Spice Eggnog Bread
Yes, definitely try the homemade ones…they are so much better!!! What is it with our hubbies not liking the good stuff:-)
I love homemade granola bars – so much better than store-bought! I saw them at Target recently too – I definitely need to give these homemade ones a try : )
Ashley recently posted..Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Jocelyn, I’d say you perfected the granola bar! These are just the icing on the cake! Love the flavors, love the way they look, love it all! I have some peppermint chips sitting all alone in my pantry. Now I know how to use them up!
Tanya Schroeder recently posted..German Chocolate Bourbon Brownies
Jocelyn,
These look delicious! I love granola bars but don’t have any great recipes for them. I can’t wait to try all yours! Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday. Can’t wait to see what you share this week! Have a wonderful rest of the week
Michelle
These look amazing!!!!
Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon recently posted..Wired Burlap Wreath Banner Tutorial
I am intrigued – unusual flavors for a granola bar…If you say they are good I believe you…I am sure my kiddos would love them…I’m going to have my son make them!
Holly Lefevre recently posted..Carrot Crunch Gingerbread (Hodgson Mill Have A Grain Holiday Giveaway)
Believe me, they were soooo good…I ate more than I really should have:-) Your kids will love them!!!
Those look delicious and they are so cute all packaged up! I will definitely be trying this one – pinned!
Jenn recently posted..Elf on the Shelf Welcome Breakfast
Jocelyn, So… I’m such a dork, I’ve been thinking about these all week! They look amazing and I need to bake them before we go ‘homeless’ for a few weeks! haha
You are a featured favorite this week on Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes! Thanks for sharing your great ideas with us each week; we love having you! Can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to this week!
Mackenzie
cheeriosandlattes.com
Mackenzie recently posted..My Christmas Bible Storybook Review & Giveaway
These look sensational!
I had the granola bars from Target and they were fantastic! I’m so excited to try out your recipe since they are a seasonal item!
Heather @ What Does She Do All Day? recently posted..Nap Time Craft Time: Cinch Top Bag
Oh, I can’t wait to hear what you think of them! I personally thought they were better than the Target ones