Previously I wrote about school lunch ideas, so it seems fair to complete the lunch box with some simple recipes for easy desserts. Many children’s sweet tooths can be satisfied by a piece of fresh fruit, but many the great finale to lunch is a simple little treat to make their day. Because kids have different palates, I included two different types of treats.

Here are a few of our favorite bar recipes that are not too sweet, quite nourishing and they transport well. For best results, store them in airtight containers in your refrigerator.

Kids In The Kitchen

This recipe is really good for those who keep prepared granola cereal on hand for breakfast. And it is so easy the kids can even throw it together.

Simply Granola Bars

Ingredients:

3/4 cup melted butter or margarine
1/3 cup brown sugar (omit if granola is very sweet)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
4 cups granola cereal

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a mixing bowl, mix together melted butter and sugar. Add vanilla, salt and eggs. Beat until smooth. Stir in granola and press into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Bake in oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until well set. Cool and cut into bars.

These are an absolute real treat and especially nice if you have made a strawberry or peach jam during the summer.

In this following recipe, carob powder is used. Carob is often called ‘the chocolate substitute.” It makes baked goods dark and moist. It is made from the pod of the carob tree, also known as St. John’s bread. It is low in fat, high in protein and minerals.

Carob-Nut Brownies

Ingredients:

2/3 cup softened butter or margarine
2/3 cup honey
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup carob powder
1 cup unbleached flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup hot water
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and honey. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl combine carob powder, flour, baking powder and salt. Stir into butter mixture. Add hot water and walnuts. Stir well. Spread into a lightly greased 8 inch square baking pan. Bake in oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool and cut into squares.

Noel Chapman

Independent Consultant

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