As promised in my previous post (Homemade Sweetened Condense Milk), here is the Breakfast Bars that Nigella Lawson is addicted to. I can’t seem to get this recipe from Nigella’s website out of my mind, would have tried this recipe long ago if not for the condensed milk ingredient (I just don’t fancy using canned condensed milk). Of course, you can use either canned or make your own condensed milk here.
Even though baking takes more than an hour, the preparation is quick to throw together. I made a batch over the weekend so I can have these bars ready when I had to grab my breakfast on the go. I’m not a morning person, so these breakfast bars make my life easier. I even stash some in my bag as a midday snack.
These oaty chewy bars are the best breakfast bars I have eaten! They are seriously addictive, they are just like a bar of milk and cereal. They seem to taste better after a few days, but you have to store them well in an airtight container or in a tin.
These are perfect as Christmas gifts as well, put them in a jar with a pretty ribbon. This Breakfast Bars post is to be submitted to Forever Nigella #10 ”Christmas Presence” Blogging Event hosted this month by Sarah of Maison Cupcakes. The challenge is to prepare any Nigella recipe for Christmas and there is a fantastic prize – Slater Slim Digital Scales! Check out the prize here!
- 400g sweetened condensed milk (or 1 can of 397g)
- 250g rolled oats
- 75g shredded coconut
- 100g dried cranberries (I ran out of cranberries and I used dried kiwis that gives the slight sourish taste like cranberries)
- 125g mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame)
- 125g raw peanuts (I used mix of peanuts and almonds)
- Preheat the oven to 130°C or 260°F and grease a 23 x 33cm baking tray with oil.
- Warm the condensed milk in a large pot over low heat (to melt it for easier mixing)
- Add all the other ingredients to the warmed condensed milk and use a spatula to mix evenly, making sure everything is coated with the condensed milk. (The mixture became rather thick and heavy to mix, so I recommend to use a wooden spatula).
- Pour the mixture into the tray and press down with the spatula or, your hands to even the surface.
- Bake for 1 hour and remove from oven to cool. After about 15 minutes, cut into four across, and four down to make 16 chunky bars. Let the bars cool completely before storing into airtight containers or tins.
February 21, 2012 at 1:32 PM
brilliant and healthy snack. i’ll omit the coconut since i don;t really like the taste of coconut. will put in more nuts and perhaps some fruits. am wondering what else can i use to replace condense milk. will evaporated milk work just as well?
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February 22, 2012 at 12:05 AM
This recipe with condensed milk makes chewy bars. My post on Apricot Walnut Granola Bars using honey makes crunchy bars. On that post I wrote about the formula to concoct your own granola bar, you can use other binding agent like honey, nut butters
January 10, 2012 at 10:56 PM
A belated reply but finally I am getting around to all the FN entries – thank you so much for taking part!
These look yummy, I made something similar from Australian Women’s Weekly a few years ago but didn’t realise Nigella had done them too. I must look them up!
Happy New Year!
January 11, 2012 at 12:43 PM
I know what’s it like after a long break.. I’m having many of those lazy days too
It’s great to be part of Forever Nigella and thank you for hosting. Happy New Year to you too!
December 14, 2011 at 12:48 PM
I can so see how these would be completely addicting…they look fantastic!
December 14, 2011 at 1:49 PM
thank you MagicofSpice! yes very very addictive!
December 14, 2011 at 4:38 AM
These look and sound wonderful – I think if you were staying somewhere as a guest and brought a tin of these they’d be most welcome!
Thanks for taking part in Forever Nigella!
December 14, 2011 at 1:44 PM
great idea Sarah! Thanks for hosting Forever Nigella despite your crazy schedule!
December 12, 2011 at 10:19 PM
How sweet of you, Ann! If you can’t get over it, made some condensed milk yourself.. I bet that will make you a very girl – just like how I felt when I made them
December 12, 2011 at 9:52 PM
Hi Shannon! It was finally great to meet up with you, though I do apologise if I couldn’t revert back to you soonest on the kitchen tips. Perhaps next time? I completely agree that the sweetened condensed milk could either make or break a drink. Though, I am not a fan of it, a little sure goes a long way too and makes the drink, dessert or your breakfast bar in this case taste complete. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful Christmas!!! Cheers, Jo
December 13, 2011 at 7:17 PM
Joanna, thanks for meeting up, it was a fun meet
No worries about the tips, but I won’t let you off the hook so easily, will come look for you again when I have an article to post.
Have a wonderful Christmass too!
December 12, 2011 at 3:44 PM
Wow – those look incredible! Thanks for sharing and I bet they were even tastier with the homemade sweetened condensed milk (I still can’t get over that you MADE it!)
December 12, 2011 at 11:19 AM
I have to try these! Where in the world do you get dried kiwi?
December 12, 2011 at 10:16 PM
My Chinese Herbal Shop sells quite an interesting array of other amazing good quality foodstuff – including Nuts and Dried Fruits. The owner never ceased to amaze me everything I pop by, he always have new products
December 11, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Oh wow! I can’t imagine a better motivation to get out of bed in the morning!
December 12, 2011 at 10:07 PM
unfortunately, these bars didn’t manage to tempt me out of the comfort of my bed..
December 11, 2011 at 9:08 PM
Oh, gosh! These look amazing! So yummy with your homemade sweetened condensed milk, craisins and seeds…..mmmmmmmm.
December 12, 2011 at 10:06 PM
thank you liz! yup, these are so yummy