homemade

I've been thinking about making my own muesli bars for months, and finally did it yesterday. I adapted a recipe from an old Alison Holst 'kitchen diary' from the 80s. Arlo takes a packed lunch with him to kindergarten two days a week, and along with his sandwiches, pieces of fruit and raw veges, I was including a muesli bar- which was his 'treat'. Even though i was trying to buy the most healthy ones I could find, I noticed there was still a decent amount of sugar, salt, preservatives, etc. in them. And they were individually wrapped- which bothered me more actually- excessive packaging makes me crazy.

Anyway, these were really easy to make (A enjoyed helping too) and would be simple to customise according to different children or the contents of your cupboards. I'm planning on wrapping them in small pieces of lunch paper, or plonking them straight into the lunchbox unwrapped. Here's the recipe in case you want to try it:

Homemade muesli bars

1 cup coconut, 2 cups rolled oats

Toast these lightly on a flat tray in the oven. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, then add:

1 cup cornflakes, 1 1/2 cups crushed weetbix (or similar cereal), 1/2 cup wheatgerm, 1/2 cup sultanas

Boil together in a saucepan:

100g butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup peanut butter

for about 8-10 mins, until the mixture forms a soft ball in cold water (such as when making fudge/toffee).

Tip the boiled honey mixture into the bowl of cereals, and mix together well. Press into a lightly-greased tin and leave to set, but cut into bars before it is completely cold.

Unrelated to muesli bars, I finished a new set of tote bags yesterday, which I listed in my etsy shop just now. I was thinking this might be my last batch (of bags- some shoes will be in there next week though) because there are many orders, gifts and other things I need to finish up this month. Have you been checking out the sew mama sew list of handmade present ideas so far this month? I loved the look of these bird ornaments last week, and now have to decide if i have time to embroider Christmas ornaments instead of packing and organising our house. I know which I'd rather do.

Comments

[kimberlee]

i know what you mean about muesli bars, I have tried making them myself with mixed success. this recipe might be 'the one' :)

thanks for adding my flickr account. I am a total newb.

-kimberlee

[Helen / rag_grrl]

Sophie Gray - The Destitute Gourmet also does a good one :) But yes, there's more sugar than you think in those suckers!

[Zélia]

they look delicious!

[Emma]

You are so good to us! And to your children, of course. :) I must try your recipe as soon as I can. The muesli bar dilemma has been on my mind too. Even the "eco" ones sometimes has a slight aftertaste of additives.

Your bags are beautiful as always. They disappear almost too quickly from your shop... *sigh* Which, I suppose, is a very good thing. You will keep the shop open from Norway, I hope?

It is snowing in Stockholm today! Enormous snowflakes :)

[sarah]

Hi - a lurker commenting finally! I lived in Norway for 8 months two years ago (I'm Australian) - and I loved it. I joined a stitch n bitch, which was great, but mainly just enjoyed the fabulous sense of design over there. You wait till you see the florists! And the deeeep windowsills in the flats! And how people keep their curtains open, instead of closed, like here.. Best of luck.

[amanda]

Oooh, I'm going to try these for sure. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

And now I am off to visit your shop :)

[cloth.paper.string]

yum yum yum! great bags too. i really love those fabrics!

[Marta]

Thanks for sharing this recipe! I am always so dismayed by how difficult it is to find snack foods that don't contain high-fructose corn syrup or just loads of sugar, so this certainly helps! Ditto about the insane amount of packaging there is in the world.

[cyndi]

yummy! the muesli bars & the bags. both look scrumptious. how are you able to get so(sew) much done? do you stay up into the wee hours of the night? tell me your secret please!

[Felicia]

Those bars look pretty tasty. And your bags are beautiful and sold out I see :)

[jendoop]

If I'm the only ignoramous in the northern hemisphere forgive me, but what is weetbix like and sultanas?
Doesn't it drive you crazy when you think you're buying something healthy only to find quite the opposite. Which is why making it yourself is the only sure way.
Do you have other ideas for eco friendly child lunches? I pack lunches for my daughters - hate the plastic baggies.

[Lindy]

mmm, looks yummy. I might have to try them this weekend.

[Tash]

The museli bars are a fab idea - I dare say that also cakey-bars like parkin (ginger) and bakewell-type cakes would also make welcome additions. The treacle in the parkin has some healthy points - at least that's what I tell myself!

Good luck with the packing-up, what kind of house are you moving to?

[Lissilulu]

mmmmmmmmmm...those bars look delish Melissa :o)
the bags are pretty too...they remind me of how I make mine with the mixing and matching of fabric colors and textures.

I clicked on the link yesterday to the handmade holidays site and took a journey for about an hour here and there....it was fun.
thanks!
Lori

[genny]

hiya
love your blog, and am all for home baking to reduce packaging and additives, but doing the numbers on that recipe - they are still 30% sugar and 15% fat and if the ingredients were listed sugar would be the first on the list... anyhoo homemade sugar is better than store bought any day!

[Kristina]

Your bags are great!

[Louise]

Yummy thanks for the recipe. I might add some sunflower and sesame seeds cos my kids love them.

[sue]

oh noes
I went to buy a bag today and they all went!!!!!!

[amisha]

hee hee... i feel your temptation... all i want to do is make gifts instead of work these days! for years this is the time when handmade making gets into full swing and it makes me crazy not to be able to do it!
and such a good idea to make your own muesli bars. i had never thought of doing it like that... i have been having dry muesli (w/o anything to stick it together) with yogurt every morning which i love, but this is such a good idea for portability and snacking. i see a library treat in my future :)
xox