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Granola Pie worth one million bucks

By Laura Crooks laurac@spokesman.com

Dear Laura: I saw a recipe in the food section last summer for a pie made with Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars that sounded like it made a pie similar to pecan pie. I cut out the recipe and have misplaced it. – Sheryl

Dear Sheryl: The recipe you’re looking for was the $1 million winning recipe in the Pillsbury Bake-Off. The recipe’s creator, Suzanne Conrad of Ohio, adapted a favorite family pie recipe to use the granola bars. It was published in The Spokesman-Review on July 14, 2004. Here it is:

Oats ‘n’ Honey Granola Pie

From Pillsbury

Crust:

1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box

Filling:

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup corn syrup

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs, lightly beaten

4 Nature Valley Oats ‘n’ Honey Crunchy Granola Bars, crushed (see note)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Whipped cream or ice cream, if desired

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place pie crust in a 9-inch pie pan as directed on the box for one-crust filled pie.

In large microwave bowl, microwave butter on HIGH for 50 to 60 seconds, or until melted. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup until blended. Beat in salt, vanilla and eggs. Stir crushed granola bars and all remaining filling ingredients into brown sugar mixture, except whipped cream. Pour into pie crust-lined pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes or until filling is set and crust is golden brown, covering crust edge with foil during last 15 to 20 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Cool at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. Store in refrigerator.

Note: To easily crush granola bars, do not unwrap. Use rolling pin to crush bars.

Yield: 8 servings

Approximate nutrition per serving: 525 calories, 28 grams fat (11 grams saturated, 48 percent fat calories), 7 grams protein, 61 grams carbohydrate, 110 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 370 milligrams sodium.

Dear Readers: Speaking of the Pillsbury Bake-Off, it’s that time again. The deadline for entering the 42nd Bake-Off is May 31. Go to www.pillsbury.com/bakeoff for all the details.