My Favorite Breakfast Bar

I leave the house so early for work so I need something quick in the morning to get me going.  For many years I bought Trader Joe's Primeval Bars and I would toast half of one, put peanut

butter and honey on it and have it with my morning coffee.  This was also my go to food before a workout and it worked great!  They discontinued them a few years ago and I found this recipe that is pretty close to what they taste and look like.  It is an easy recipe and these are so good!   I usually freeze half of the batch and keep the other half in the fridge and have one every morning.  

Raisin Apple Walnut Bars

These wholesome, homemade bars are packed with whole grains, walnuts, raisins, and apples. They’re perfect for a quick breakfast, a healthy snack, or a little energy boost throughout the day!

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• ½ cup bread flour
• ¼ cup wheat germ
• ¼ cup wheat bran
• 1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup raisins
• ¼ cup apple, peeled and diced (such as Gala or Granny Smith)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for coating the dough)

Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Let sit for approximately 5 minutes, until the yeast begins to foam.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

Add all the remaining ingredients, except the olive oil, to the yeast mixture.

Using your hands, mix everything together and begin kneading the dough in the bowl until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the dough, turning it to coat evenly.

Cover the bowl and place it in a warm, dry location. Allow the dough to rise for approximately 1 hour.

Step 4: Shape the Bars

Divide the dough into two equal portions.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly dust it with flour.

Shape each portion of dough into a log, making it slightly smaller than your desired finished size, as the dough will rise again.

Using a sharp knife, make three evenly spaced cuts across each log, without cutting all the way through. This will create four connected bars per log, for a total of eight bars.

Step 5: Second Rise

Cover the shaped dough and allow it to rest and rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 6: Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the bars are baked through.

Allow them to cool before breaking apart or finishing the cuts to separate the individual bars.

Helpful Tips

Customize your bars: Don’t like walnuts or raisins? Feel free to leave them out or substitute other dried fruits or nuts.

Wheat germ and wheat bran: If you only have one of these ingredients, you can use ½ cup of either instead of ¼ cup of each.

Why use vital wheat gluten? Vital wheat gluten helps whole wheat dough develop a lighter, softer, and chewier texture instead of becoming overly dense.

Serving suggestions: Enjoy the bars whole, or slice them in half and toast them for a delicious breakfast.

Storage: For longer freshness, store the bars in the refrigerator or freeze them individually. Simply thaw before eating.

Enjoy!