Sweet heart lunchbox treats

When Valentine's Day falls on a weekday, and time for spending with those dearest to us is in short supply, nothing says "I love you" quite like a special homemade treat tucked inside a lunchbox or work bag.  All three of my wonderful guys will find one of these chocolate granola hearts in their backpacks on Tuesday;  it's a nutritious, not-too-sweet but still scrumptious treat that I can feel really good about sending with them.

The idea for this recipe came from Jamie Schultz of this lunch rox! (which is an informative and really creative site to visit for fun, healthy lunchbox ideas for kids).  I modified Jamie's recipe in several ways, both to accommodate Will's food sensitivities and to comply with our school's no nuts policy, and I used silicone heart-shaped molds to form the treats, rather than making them in the traditional bar form.  Based on the rave reviews I received last week when I made a test batch of regular bars, I think all three of my guys will be smiling on Tuesday!

Heart-shaped chocolate granola bars

1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate (I used part of an Endangered Species Supreme Dark Chocolate bar, 72% cocoa)

1/4 cup Sunbutter (I use the all-natural one with sunflower seeds as the only ingredient; you could also use any other natural nut butter if food sensitivities aren't an issue)

1/4 cup rice milk (you could also use unsweetened almond milk or dairy milk)

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp unpasteurized honey

1 cup + 2 tbsp oats (use pure oats for gluten-free granola bars)

2 tbsp chia seeds

Melt the first three ingredients together in a saucepan on the stove over low heat, stirring often.
Remove mixture from heat, and stir in vanilla and honey.
Add oats and chia seeds; stir until well-combined. 
Spoon granola mixture into silicone heart molds (I used 8 of them) and press it down with your fingertips to get a smooth heart shape. 
Place heart molds into freezer and chill for 10 minutes, or until granola hearts are set.  
Pop chocolate granola hearts out of molds, serve and enjoy! 

(For regular granola bars, you can press the granola mixture into a small, parchment-paper lined glass rectangular container. Place it to set in the freezer, and then slice granola mixture into bars.)

These easy-to-make, protein-rich granola hearts (or bars) store very well in the freezer, making them an ideal snack to pack anytime.  I hope your family loves them as much as mine does!

Happy Valentine's Day!  I wish you all a happy heart this week.