Nutri-grain bars, take II

I titled this blog the way I did, because I wanted to try the bars again. I also wanted to modify the recipe a bit and see what I come up with. Now the last time, they came out great, don't get me wrong. My older 2 children (ages 11 & 9) LOVED them, the four year old however wanted NOTHING to do with them like they were. It got me thinking, the "real" nutr-grain bars you buy in the store, have a cake-like appearance and consistency to them. The ones I made using the recipe, while they where good, they were also kind of dry and crumbly.

 So, what could I do to change that? Well, here is what I have done, and we'll see how it works out. I went ahead with the recipe as stated, BUT(!), I didn't use the butter (OMGosh! that's a lot of butter!), instead I made the cake mix as stated on the box, and added the quick oats into it. I used a whole jar of jam (18 oz instead of 12), still using just the 1 table spoon of water.  Next I started spooning the really thick mixture in to an already greased pan. This did prove to be a bit challenging as it was more of a batter, but didn't spread as easily as batter. None the less, with a fork, and a "patting" action, I had it spread to a pretty even consistency in the pan. Next came the jam, just like the directions said. Last  I put the remaining amount of the batter on top, again using a more patting like action to smooth it over the top of the layer of jam. The bars are currently in the oven baking. They smell WONDERFUL!

 After baking for 30 minutes this is what it looked like:

As you can see it turned out nice and brown on top. But this time the "bars" are a little to soft and moist. I know, I know, there is no pleasing me! (LOL) Really there is, I just need to find a way to fine tune this recipe, so it is the best combination. The kids just got home from school and saw the bars cooling on the table and dug right into them. Faith didn't like them at all, Justin LOVED them, Libby didn't like them. So there you have it. Not a success yet, but we'll get there. Thankfully I have a family who doesn't mind being test subjects for my recipes. Yes they are honest with me about the recipes, but are never unkind or nasty about it.

Home made nutri-grain bars

I found a recipe for home made nutri-grain bars. My kids LOVE these things. However if you buy them, you know how expensive they can be. When you are a stay at home mom on a tight budget, you start looking for ways to make some of these things yourself.


So, here is what it looks like step by step:

These are the ingredients: Yellow Cake mix, oats, Jam, and butter

 This is what the oats and cakes mixed together look like

 (note: since I am making these for the kids, including 7 month old Patrick, I ground the oats into a flour like consistency)

 This is with the butter added in.

See how crumbly it is?

 Now you just press 1/2 the mixture in to a greased pan.

 Add the jam and water mixture on top.

Now add the rest of the mixture on top of the jam and press down.

 Now off to the oven.

 This is what it looks like coming out of the oven. Lightly browned. 

The directions say to bake for 20 minutes.

 But I found it needed to go for a little longer and extra 10 minutes was perfect. 

(Total cooking time of 30 min.)

This is what they look like all cut into "bars"

Next time I make these, I might try adding in a little water or something to the remaining 1/2 of the mixture so that it spreads a little easier, and to give it the store bought look :)

They are thicker, but I think I may have used to much of the mix on the bottom. 

 Next time I will use the same amount of ingredients, but I will use a rolling pin to thin in out a little more, and bake in 2 pans instead of one.

If you would like the recipe is below.

 I plan on trying to make them with different flavored jam (grape, apple, etc.)

Recipe:

1 pkg yellow cake mix

3/4 cup butter

2 1/2 cups quick oats

12 ounces preserves or jam

1 T water

Preheat oven to 375. Melt butter. Combine cake

mix and oats in a large bowl; stir in the melted

butter until the mixture is crumbly. Measure half

of this mixture (about 3 cups) into a greased

13x9x2−inch pan. Press firmly into pan to cover

the bottom.

Combine preserves and water; spoon over crumb

mixture in pan, and spread evenly. Cover with

remaining crumb mixture. Pat firmly to make top

even.

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes−−top should be very

light brown. Cool completely before cutting into

bars.