I created my blog in the summer of 2010. In September 2010, I started college. In October 2010, I had my first exams in college. There were no blog posts. The same happened for the finals in December. And for the midterms and finals in the winter. I wanted to post something, but let’s face it: I didn’t have time to cook a real meal, much less to take pictures and write a blog post.

So this year, instead of hoping I could write a blog post of my own, I decided to feature a guest post on the week I have my exams.

Today, Roxana from A little bit of everything is sharing a delicious-looking granola bar recipe. I’ve enjoyed reading her blog for a while now and made a couple of her recipes this summer… Let me tell you: they are as good as they look!

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Last month while I was visiting my family back in Romania I got together with some friends from high school. It was such a wonderful night full of laugher, sweet memories and delicious meals. We could not believe there have been more than 10 years since we finished high school and everyone went on different paths. Some of them I met in college again, but just a couple. Some I met years later. Some I still haven’t met since out last high school day.

When high school ends some of the best days begin some may say. Collage years were so much fun I have to agree. Moving out of my parents’ house . New roommates. Chit-chatting with friends until dawn. Weekend getaways. Loved every second of it. Well, at least until mid-term exams come knocking at the door. Those were the not so livin’ la vita loca days.

Those days all we wanted and needed was lots of coffee, grab and go snacks and tons of luck.

While Charlie’s having her mid-term exams (best of luck my friend) I’m supposed to share a vegetarian dish with you. At first I had my mind set on an easy dinner idea each student can put together in less than 30 minutes but after seeing these pumpkin bars,  I immediately changed my mind and took the oats out of the cupboard.

Energy bars and a big cup of coffee is on every student mind this time of the year.

To make these granola bars is very simple and it doesn’t require sophisticated and expensive kitchen gadgets. All you need are a big bowl, measuring cups, a wooden spoon or a spatula and an 11X7 baking pan.

Start by preheating the oven and greasing your baking pan.

Measure your dry ingredients. Rolled oats. Walnuts pieces. Pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin pie spices. Mix them all in a bowl and set aside.

Time for the wet ingredients. Canned pumpkin. Applesauce. Maple syrup.

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

Spread mixture evenly into the baking pan. Bake for about 30 minutes until golden. Let cool slightly and cut into bars using a sharp knife (mine is pretty dull but let’s not get into details)

Granola Pumpkin Bars

Print recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups rolled oats

• 1 cup walnut pieces

• ¼ cup pumpkin seeds

• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spices

• Pinch of salt

• ½ cup canned pumpkin

• ½ cup applesauce

• ½ cup maple syrup

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 11X7 baking pan .

In a medium bowl measure 3 cups oats. Add 1 cup walnut pieces, ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spices and a pinch of salt. Mix them all.

Now measure the wet ingredients. ½ cup canned pumpkin, ½ cup applesauce and ½ cup maple syrup. Add them to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

Spread mixture evenly into the baking pan. Bake in preheated oven approximately 30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes and cut into bars using a sharp knife.