Trailmix Turtles

As summer approaches and you plan more hikes, picnics, and outdoor activities, you'll want to have some wholesome, home-made snacks to carry along. My Trailmix Turtles are perfect to take on a hike or any time you want some compact, slow-burning fuel. They also make a good light breakfast or afternoon snack.

The turtles' base is simply oatmeal, and you can change flavors around with the fruits and nuts you crave or have on hand. Use your imagination and you'll be surprised how great these turn out. I don't need to detail all the goodness of these ingredients, they speak for themselves!

I used:

1/2 cup rolled oats

2 tablespoons of whole wheat flour. Substitute any other whole grain flour of your choice.

1/2 stick butter. For a vegan substitute, I have used Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread.

1/3 cup raspberry blossom honey. Use any fragrant honey, and if you find raspberry blossom then you will be amazed with the sweetness and aroma that come through in the end!

1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds

1/4 cup total of chopped dried strawberries and dried pluots. These are a local treat we find in Seattle from Tiny's Organic Farm.

1/4 teaspoon saigon cinnamon

This recipe will make about 10 turtles, and you can just double it for more.

My method:
1. Preheat the oven to 175 C (350 F).
2. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter on low heat.
3. Mix all the dry ingredients and dried fruit throughly.
4. Once the butter melts, add the honey to it, mix, and turn off the heat.
5. Line a small loaf pan with parchment paper, or grease it with butter. If you use parchment paper, you can also get nice bar shapes instead of rolling the mixture up!
6. Add the butter and honey mix into the dry ingredients and make sure everything is incorporated well.
7. Dump the mixture in the prepared baking dish, and press it all down, nice and even.
8. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until you start smelling it strongly and see it slightly browned. Don't let it get too dark, or the turtles will be too chewy and dry!
9. Let it cool for a few minutes outside the oven and cut it into bars. When I forgot parchment paper in my baking tray, my treats fell apart, so I rolled them into small balls and pressed one side down on a chopping board to get the turtles you see here.
Whatever shape you make them into, and whatever fruits or nuts you use, they will be delicious. Enjoy!

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Trailmix Turtles

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