granola bars

Mothers are a special breed. Our relationship to them is so tied up with our very existence that we probably just assume we know each other equally well. Truthfully, they do know nearly everything about us, as they have followed us (sometimes more closely than others) throughout our entire lives. Conversely, we probably know about 42% of what we possibly could about them. We sometimes forget to ask for stories about their life preceding the time we invaded it, about their time growing up, about their newly wed years, about their dreams when they were young. We really could stand some exposure to the experiences and relationships that affected their role as Mom now. These conversations could be pretty enlightening. Especially if they are our mother-IN-LAWs and not even our own birth mother.

Ben’s parents visited us in Houston this past weekend. Since the boys went to play golf on Saturday, I got some quality alone time with Mrs. Patti. We went to the Farmers Market (great one at 3000 Richmond!), did some baking, hit up an antique store (The Guild on Dunlavy, also great!), lunched at Tiny Boxwoods and explored their nursery, stopped in Anthropologie, and finally cruised through the Central Market. This time was laced with intermittent conversation about family, how Mrs. Patti grew up, what her parents and grandparents were like, and more (the lot of which I had not previously known). I once again found myself grateful for having married such a good mother-in-law (as you really do get the whole family package with that husband you choose).

Below is the recipe for the granola bars we made together. I hope you get some interesting conversation going while you bake them too!

Granola Bars

1 2/3 cups quick rolled oats


1/3 cup almond flour

½ teaspoon salt


¼ teaspoon cinnamon


2 to 3 cups nuts and dried fruit (I did chocolate chips, walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts)


1/3 cup smooth peanut butter 


1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


1 tablespoon water


1/2 cup honey or corn syrup (or mix of the two)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, oat flour, salt, cinnamon, and dried fruit/nut mix. Add the peanut butter, vanilla extract, water, and honey. Stir with a spatula until the entire mixture is well combined.

Spray an 8×8 pan with cooking spray and line with parchment in one direction. The parchment should extend over the sides of the pan to help you lift the bars out of the pan once they have cooled.

Pour the granola bar mix into the pan using the spatula to get all the crumbs. Now use your muscle to press the mixture firmly into the pan to ensure that it will really bind together while cooking.

Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges have browned. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes then slowly remove the bars using the parchment paper overhang as handles. Let them cool on a rack for about 30 more minutes and then place them in the refrigerator for at least an hour or so. When you are ready to cut, remove bars from fridge and set on a cutting board. Use a serrated knife and go slow to avoid crumbling! Keep bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Adapted from http://www.thecitysisters.com/cooking/granola-bars.