When it comes to packing dessert for a picnic, the usual cakes, cupcakes, ice creams and whipped this-and-thats just won’t hold up to being hauled to the park on a warm day.
That’s why bars are where it’s at.
Think brownies, blondies and all manner of rich, dense, chewy treats. To help you on your way, we created the Gorp Hermit, a granola-inspired bar that is dense, delicious and sweet without being too over the top. And, most importantly, it transports well.
Gorp Hermits
Start to finish: 1 hour. Servings: 24
½ cup golden raisins
½ cup dried cranberries
12 tablespoons (1½ 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
½ teaspoon nutmeg
Zest of 1 orange
3 eggs
½ cup molasses
2¼ cups (9½ ounces) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup thick-cut oats
½ cup chopped peanuts
½ cup chopped toasted almonds
¼ cup chopped crystallized ginger
½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Coarse sugar
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray, then line it with kitchen parchment.
In a small saucepan over medium-high, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the raisins and cranberries. Cover and set aside.
In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg and orange zest. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Stir in the molasses, flour and baking powder, then mix thoroughly. Stir in the oats, peanuts, almonds, crystallized ginger and chocolate chips, if using. Drain the dried fruit and stir into the batter. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan, sprinkle with coarse sugar, then bake 40 minutes.
Cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then overturn onto a cutting board. Remove the parchment and cut into bars.
Per serving (1 of 24 bars): 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.