Happy New Year

I can't believe 2010 has already come and gone! Here at The Red Barn we have many new and exciting products and events planned for our customers. We thank you all for your business. May you have a safe and happy new year!

As a reminder, we will be closed January 1st, 2011 to celebrate! We will reopen January 2, 2011 with our new winter hours, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Tasty Tuesday: Cherry Granola Bars

For today's recipe tip, I wanted to suggest trying cherries or cranberries in your favorite raisin recipes. Cherries are high in antioxidants and add a powerful flavor punch to jazz up any old recipe you have on hand! Red Barn dried cherries are also great in oatmeal, cookies, and home made granola recipes.

Homemade Granola Bars

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup peanut butter
3 tsp vanilla

3 cups krispie rice cereal
3 cups other cereals {I used 1.5 cups of two different kinds}
3 cups quick cooking oats
4 TBSP flax
1 1/2 Red Barn cherries (or other dried fruit)
3/4 cup chocolate chips {optional}

In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, leaving out the chocolate chips. Line a large jelly roll pan with foil and spray the foil lightly with non-stick spray.

Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, honey and salt in a saucepan. Heat until just boiling. Remove from heat and add in vanilla and peanut butter. Mix until smooth.

Pour over the cereal/ oat mixture and stir until combined. If you're adding chocolate chips, I suggest waiting about 5 minutes, until it's cooled slightly, then add them in. {I was in a time crunch here, so I just added them. They melted slightly, but it worked out just fine!}

Once mixed well, transfer to the foil-lined pan. Spread mixture evenly, pressing firmly with the back end of a spoon or your hand. I just take one of those little sandwich baggies and put it on my hand, then spray the bag with cooking spray and use my hand to press the mixture in. It's very effective and no clean up as you just discard the bag!

Cool completely before cutting. I stick the whole tray in the freezer for an hour or two. Once cut, you can individually bag them and store them in the freezer.

Enjoy!

These also make great neighborhood gifts, as well as snacks for the kids while they are home form school. Recipe provided by Jessica Williams.