As I have previously mentioned on here, I’m taking a food science class this semester, which I have been enjoying.  So far, the semester has been a lot of…science, but starting this week, the class will be taking a turning point to FOOD!  During the first week of the semester, we were told to choose a partner and then we would be assigned a recipe modification that we would need to create and present to the class.

My partner and I were automatically assigned to make something gluten-free, but the modification that we chose (out of a hat) was to modify a recipe to have more calcium than the original.  At first we were thinking about tackling this project in the way that first comes to everyone’s mind- add more dairy!  After some thought and looking up recipes, we decided to try a different route and attempt to add calcium through less approached ways, such as with extra green, leafy vegetables, or by adding ingredients like almonds, sesame seeds and molasses, which all have calcium!  We also decided to err on the safe side and not attempt to make something that requires us to make a usual gluten-laden dish gluten-free (like pizza).

Long story short, we decided to make granola bars with the idea that we could swap some of the ingredients for ingredients that are higher in calcium.  The final product might be only a tad higher in calcium, but they are tasty (and addicting), so I thought I would share the recipe!

Gluten Free Chocolate Almond Granola Bars

(Recipe adapted from http://allrecipes.com/recipe/gluten-free-granola-bars/)

Ingredients

1/2 cup dark corn syrup

1/2 cup molasses

3/4 cup almond butter

1 cup gluten-free chocolate chips, divided

1/4 cup chopped almond

1/4 cup almond meal

1/2 cup chopped cashews

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup sesame seeds

2 cups gluten-free oatmeal

2 cups crispy rice cereal

1/3 cup flax seed meal or flax seeds (whole)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Heat the corn syrup, molasses and almond butter in a small saucepan over low heat until smooth, about 3 minutes.

3. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in about half of the chocolate chips, until melted.

4.  In a separate bowl, mix the remaining chocolate chips, chopped almonds, almond meal, chopped cashews, chia seeds, sesame seeds, oatmeal, crispy rice and flax.

5.  Pour the mixture from the saucepan over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.  Use your muscles- this takes strength!

6.  Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 greased baking dish and press into an even layer.

7.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until everything looks gooey and yummy.

8.  Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them.

Despite it being “Spring”, it’s snowy and cold today, so these are nice and comforting.

They’re chewy, chocolatey and just sweet enough!  I think the class will like them 😉

Enjoy!