When it comes to packing a picnic, the savory items are easy. Sandwiches and wraps. Potato and pasta salads. Chips and dips.
It’s all very transportable and all very easy to eat while perched on a blanket in the grass. But dessert can prove less obvious. Sure, you could do cookies. But what else? The usual cakes and cupcakes and ice creams and whipped this-and-thats just won’t hold up to being hauled into the park on a warm day.
Which is why bars are where it’s at. Think brownies and blondies and all manner of rich, dense, chewy treats. To help you on your way, we created these gorp hermits, a sort of granola-inspired bar that is dense, delicious and sweet without being too over the top. And, most importantly, they transport very well.
GORP HERMITS
Start to finish: 1 hour
Servings: 24
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
2 cups (15 ounces) packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon dried ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Zest of 1 orange
3 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
2 1/4 cups (9 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup thick-cut oats
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds
1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Coarse sugar
Nutrition information per serving: 240 calories; 80 calories from fat (33 percent of total calories); 9 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 40 mg cholesterol; 115 mg sodium; 39 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 26 g sugar; 4 g protein.
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