baking cheek to cheek — all aflutter

B and I love to bake together. It's rare, sweet time we spend together, just the two of us, while R is napping. He sits on the counter so we can be eye to eye + cheek to cheek. We most often make muffins or "donuts" (Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious Doughnuts have been a hit with both boys and their friends since their debut at B's first birthday party. Did you know that all you really need to be a super cool toddler mom is a mini donut pan?!).

Lately we've been experimenting with granola bars. We've tried a few recipes now, but the best by far have been from one of my favorite food bloggers, Kelley Epstein at Mountain Mama Cooks (I made a modified version of her Puff Pastry Wrapped Turkey Burger Sliders the other night...OMG. That's all I'm saying for now). We've made her Chewy Granola Bars a few times now and they're always delish + easily modified to suit just about everyone's taste. This time we tried the Chewy Cinnamon Raisin Granola Bars. I went to 5 stores looking for the cinnamon chips called for in the recipe to no avail, so I had to carry on without them. Next time I think I'll have to just order some because I have a feeling they're the hidden gem in this recipe + B would love them.

Recipe:

1 2/3 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour (her recipe calls for oat flour, which we'll try next time)
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup cinnamon chips
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tbs melted butter
3 tbs brown sugar
3 tbs almond butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, salt, cinnamon, raisins, almonds + cinnamon chips
In a small bowl, combine vanilla, honey, olive oil, melted butter, brown sugar + almond butter
Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir until evenly combined
Press mixture into a 9x9 baking pan that has been greased + lined with parchment paper
Bake for 20 minutes or so
Let cool completely before cutting into squares or rocket ships or whatever shape you want
Store in an airtight container or wrap individually + freeze
Nuzzle your baking partner + share the yummy granola love