M y-oh-my. I'm tired.
It's three in the morning and I just finished up working on my dad's birthday cake. What time did I start? I don't even know. 11:30?
Happy birthday pops! I hope you have a good day!
The cake is a variation of German chocolate cake and I will be posting the recipe soon.
What did tonight's baking lesson teach me?
-German chocolate tastes like regular chocolate. Sooo disappointing. I was expecting it to taste like wiener schnitzel and beer. And it didn't. Won't be buying that again, that's for damn sure.
-Traditional German chocolate cakes have this icing that consists of cooked eggs and condensed milk. I think that's weird. Wouldn't it taste like scrambled egg icing? I don't even know if I've had German chocolate cake before.
Anyway. I'm really, really tired and it's time for bed. I've been testing two or three recipes at night, and it's taking its toll. I haven't read any blogs for a week or so now. That's another thing I'm behind on. Sigh.
But I do have a new recipe for you! White Chocolate-Blueberry-Almond Granola Bars.
Dried blueberries are my favorite dried fruit EVER. I hadn't had them before and they are so good. They're on the pricey side, though, which makes me sad. These granola bars contain honey, flax, cinnamon, dried blueberries, almonds, coconut, oats and white chocolate. Prettttty healthy for you. Almost healthy. They have butter in them. I couldn't help myself.
These were delicious granola bars, but a little big raggedy looking, I think. I probably could have made the presentation on these a bit better.
I'm starting to doze off as I type this. You're probably dozing off too. What a boring blog post. My-oh-my.
One more thing - it's supposed to snow tonight and we might get anywhere from 6-12 inches. Can you believe that?! I strongly dislike that. I'll be stranded and won't be able to see my schmoopy. He brought me coffee at work tonight and cleaned one of my tables. Isn't he sweet?? He is the best.
Printable Recipe
1 large egg
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons milled flax seed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup dried blueberries
2/3 cup finely chopped almonds, toasted
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 1/4 cups quick oats
3/4 cup crushed bran cereal
Melted white chocolate, for drizzling
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with foil; coat foil with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg, brown sugar, butter, honey, flax, vanilla, almond extract and cinnamon until well combined; stir in blueberries, almonds, coconut, oats and cereal until combined. Evenly press mixture into prepared pan.
Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cover with foil and bake an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Lift foil out of pan and slice into bars. Drizzle with white chocolate and allow to dry.
Makes 12 bars
First of all happy birthday to your pops. I am sure he will love his cake and when he is done he will have these delicious bars to enjoy...if there are any left of course.
ReplyDeleteI'm lovin' the looks of these granola bars, its just that I don't think we have dried blueberries here..
ReplyDeleteI am not enjoying the snow...so far about 2 inches.
ReplyDeleteDries blueberries are yum and these bars look really good!
I wish I had more time to do more of what I love like baking. I can't wait for this semester to be over!
ReplyDeleteOh my!!!! Can you send some my way please. While I don't like chocolate, I LOVE white chocolate. These sound fantastic, and, as always, you've made them look irresistible!
ReplyDeleteI believe it's called "German" chocolate because its creator was named German, not because it actually comes from Germany. I don't know how it came to be that making a cake out of that kind of chocolate came to always be topped with that caramel-coconut frosting, but I'm not complaining. I love that stuff! Doesn't taste like scrambled eggs at all. I do have a recipe for a simple chocolate torte that is supposed to be an actual German recipe. It's a very dark and dense cake, sort of like an Italian Boca Negra and gets topped with just fresh whipped cream.
ReplyDeleteBut granola bars are better for us! I love dried berries of all sorts, but they're so $$$$.
Shame man, your father raised you well to be so hard working and caring.....as for these granola bars, I would happily have eaten all three before I could take a photo.....
ReplyDeleteThose look amazing!
ReplyDeleteYum! I love blueberries, but you're right the dried ones are crazy expensive. Stay warm in all that snow!
ReplyDeleteI don't think these look raggedy at all. They look amazing. Looking forward to seeing the cake post.
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are amazing, dear. Very nice work.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the Buick and I will make the trek down to unstrand you tomorrow?
Youuu are the best.
I'm so behind on blogs it's not funny . . . I don't know if I've replied to yours since Christmas. ugh.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I've ever had German Chocolate cake . . . that icing sounds weird though.
We got a little snow last night but it was gone by morning- I hope the same is in your case!
I sure hope you can see your schmoopy today (did I spell that right?) maybe even in a snuggie with a schnitzel...
ReplyDeleteFantastic recipe. The white chocolate takes it over the top. German Sweet chocolate is just semisweet chocolate with more sugar in it. In fact, the folks at Joy of Baking.com suggest that when you substitute regular chocolate for it, you add a bit of sugar.
http://www.joyofbaking.com
/GermanChocolate.html
And I didn't know it had nothing to do with being German. It was Samuel GERMAN who "invented" it.
The bars sound so delicious and I'm with you on the snow. I can't stand it!!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly moly these granola bars look delicious! I think I'm going to have to scrimp on some parts of my grocery budget just so I can buy some dried blueberries and make them myself. (And yeah dried blueberries are unbelievabley yummy!)
ReplyDeleteAnd you should try a german chocolate cake with the coconut pecan cooked egg icing. It's FABULOUS!
oooooo i love BLUEBERRIES! this recipe sounds sooo good! I need to make some soon! Hope you get to see your schmoopy haha, stay warm and cozy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice Shmoopy (sp) that is very nice of him. These look great! A little butter is okay in moderation!
ReplyDeleteHope you got some good rest after all that cake baking Emily, and I'm sure your dad will love his cake.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, butter makes everything better. :)
Hope you don't get snowed in!!!
You know what? I don't think I have ever had german chocolate cake either. I contemplated making one last weekend, and I got kind of scared off by the different ingredients, so it has yet to be attempted! The granola bars look great, by the way. I love dried blueberries, too.
ReplyDelete"These granola bars contain honey, flax, cinnamon, dried blueberries, almonds, coconut, oats and white chocolate."
ReplyDeletehow about that. five of my favorite things incorporated into one healthy-shmealthy bar. delightful creation, emily!
Oh what a lovely bake -but then u always have the most fantastic bakes....
ReplyDelete2-3 recipes a night?! I don't know how you do it - you're a superstar :)
ReplyDeleteYour granola bars look great with all those dried blueberries - yum! I recently discovered them too.
YUM - love all the flavors in these bars!! And happy birthday to your dad!
ReplyDeletei hope you're getting lots of rest now :) these granola bars are beautiful :)
ReplyDeletepoor schmoopy!! he needs to buy himself a giant 4x4 truck so he can come to save you in snow!!! gma used to make german choc cake&it was yummie!! except she used pecans&coconut in icing. it is kinda weird--need to acquire a taste for it. always thought it was german too...waiting for march&big appearance!!
ReplyDeletehugs! carol
Happy birthday to your dad! I bet that cake will come out perfect considering how much time you spent on it!!!
ReplyDeleteThose bars look awesome..I've got to make them :)
These bars sound delicious! Blueberries and white chocolate are the best combination, ever!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!
ReplyDeleteRachel, oooh that sounds delicious. I'd love the recipe.
Thank you, my sweet Eric!
Sue, that's really interesting. I thought the cake was a bit too sweet, so I think I'd just going to recommend dark chocolate in the recipe.
Auntie, I bet she baked an amazing German chocolate cake.
March?? What are you talking about?
I just moved and have been so bad about reading and catching up on blogs. So don't feel bad. I need to start testing recipes soon and am soooo tired from the move and unpacking.
ReplyDeleteI do have granola bars on my list--loved what you did with them.
Must make a plea for German Chocolate cakes. They are heavenly! German chocolate is not a dark chocolate but it's still really good. The frosting is pecans, coconut, eggs and evaporated milk cooked until thick-it's wonderful. It's a 3 layer cake with no frosting, just filling and the filling is also on the top layer. While it's not MY favorite cake, one of my sons asks for it every year on his birthday!
ReplyDeleteDon't buy one at a bakery- you won't like it... make one. The recipe is everywhere.
Your granola bars look divine and I don't say that every often about granola bars!
I found via project gadabout and I'm so glad I did! Your blog is amazing and everything looks so yummie!
ReplyDeleteNext time I see you, you'll have to tell me where you find some of these ingredients in *our* neck of the woods. I'm making your Chunky Monkey Biscotti tonight! Rudy will be in heaven. Our friends really enjoyed meeting you the other night.
ReplyDeleteHey Emily, this looks yum as usual! BUT: How can you be disappointed by German chocolate, it's good! What brand did you get? It could also be that it tastes different in the States than the actual stuff in Germany because all products usually get adapted for different regional markets. And then another thing, there's no such thing as a traditional German chocolate cake (dunno why people keep referring to it, mostly in the U.S.though) and that weird custard you were writing about... i've never heard of that and believe me, i really do know German cake, haha! Sweetened condensed milk is hardly ever used in Germany, many people don't even know it exists as there's only one single brand and people aren't as much into caramel either, which might be an explanation. What i'm trying to say is that if an ingredient is extremely uncommon in a country then it surely wont be part of a recipe that seems to be a typical thing. German cakes and pastries are usually very different (but really very good) to American ones but there's chocolate cakes in every country - or more like millions - and hence there's no one german chocolate cake. Anyway, i'm only blabbering away because i noticed this whole german choc cake story before and wanted to rectify it! There's only one black forrest gateau though, also german and thats definitely traditional!
ReplyDeleteOooops, now I feel bad. Just read what other people and especially Sue said and I could have saved my little lecture. Does make sense that it was a guy called German and not Germany, duh! hahaha =) sleep tight!
ReplyDeleteSchmoopy? ok.
ReplyDeleteNice bars. I don't think I've tried dried blueberries before.
Now go nite-nite.
Emily...yummm.. I love dried blueberries. Everything you post is always delicious. Thank you as always x
ReplyDeleteEmily, the Chunky Monkey Biscotti turned out great. The mini chocolate chips added just the right chocolate flavor. (Sometimes cocoa can be too bland.) I took some to my dad in Nixa this morning. He loves cookies of any sort. Think I might make the chocolate orange torte next. Hope you're navigating okay in this snow.
ReplyDeletei agree, dried bluebs are the bomb! almost as good as dried tart cherries :) fabulous bars, hope you didn't get snowed in and pops had a good bday!!
ReplyDeleteThose sound and look delicious!
ReplyDeleteWaw,...Emily!! These bars look so decadent, rich & extremely tasty!!
ReplyDeleteMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,...
Oh yum, all the delicious flavours in a bar! Nothing beats this.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan! I enjoyed your friends! I'm glad you all came in. I'm also happy that you liked the biscotti. :)
ReplyDeleteAlways looking for a good new granola bar recipe - looks like another winner!
ReplyDeleteHomemade granola bars are always so much fun because you can make em exactly how you want em and you know all the ingredients as well. Do you think regular blueberries would work for this!?
ReplyDelete"Schmoopy" cracked me up...
ReplyDelete