Hacked Rickety Uncle

One of my very best best friends makes a totally yummy square that has been a Simpson family favorite (and a family recipe) for a couple of generations. When our entire gang was invited to spend the day* with their entire gang at their cabin on beautiful Worlcombe Island Nancy made Rickety Uncle for us. As you would entirely anticipate, something with a name that incredible must surely be more than good and it was. Every single little crumb was carefully sought out and inhaled. Rickety Uncle disappeared so fast that Daylan somehow didn't even get one of those crumbs. Nancy kindly shared the recipe with me. I love it exactly as it is but couldn't resist trying to put my own spin on it. My 'spin' ended up being more of a hack than a tweak, but it retains the flavour of the original with a lot more nutrition. I added some honey to replace some of the sugar and reaped the benefit of a more cohesive bar (the original is pretty crumbly). There is still a lot of sugar and butter in this version so it isn't exactly health food but it is a very healthy option as opposed to a purchased granola bar. 


It has also undergone rigorous taste-testing by my personal guard of small but very discerning tasters and has passed and exceeded all standards. Just so you know.

Hacked Rickety Uncle
(inspired by Nancy Simpson's family recipe)


3 1/4 cups quick oats
1/3 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup hemp hearts
1/4 cup sprouted ground chia seed**
1/4 cup milled flaxseed
1/2 cup coconut
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup dried blueberries
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup honey
1 cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract (optional)


Mix the dry ingredients together. Pour the melted butter, honey and vanilla over and mix very well. Line a 9 x 13" pan with a sheet of parchment paper with the paper coming up the sides. Pour the mixture into the pan and pat very firmly. Bake at 350 F. for 25 minutes or until the squares are browned and bubbling. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. When cool, remove from the pan and cut into squares.


*Check out the pictures of our day there on Eden's blog (3.9.11 and 26.8.11)
**This "exotic" ingredient can be found at health food stores, is a bit pricey, and very healthy. You can skip it if you wish and substitute regular chia seed.