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German Fruit and Nut Bars for #SundaySupper

German Fruit and Nut Bars | Magnolia Days

It was a quiet evening in Germany. My uncle and I sat at the table after dinner sipping wine and chatting about cooking while looking through sale flyers and magazines. I was fascinated by the grocery ads. I could look through them for hours. The recipes in the magazines definitely caught my attention too. There was one I clipped out that night to bring home. It seemed simple enough. A snack treat with few ingredients and a line or two of instructions. I had no idea that simple recipe would put me on the hunt once I returned home and decided to make them. German Fruit and Nut Bars required one ingredient common in Germany and yet not so easy to find in my area.

What is that one ingredient? It is sugar beet syrup. I know a little bit of the German language and can usually figure out ingredients. When I looked at the recipe in Germany I thought it called for some type of corn syrup. Obviously I was incorrect. So I went to a few stores and could not find it. That meant the hunt continued on the internet. Luckily I found sugar beet syrup on Amazon and ordered it right away. I couldn’t wait for it to arrive and taste it. (That’s an affiliate link to Amazon).

German Fruit and Nut Bars | Magnolia Days

What does sugar beet syrup taste like? Think of a thick molasses minus the bitterness and with an almost fruity quality. I found that some Germans will use it as a spread or drizzle it on potato pancakes. It is also used extensively in baking and an essential component in many cookies and bread, including Lebkuchen. Attention bakers! Do yourself a favor and get a jar or three.

How are the German Fruit and Nut Bars? They are soft, chewy, sticky, buttery, fruity, nutty, ooey-gooey treats with a special flavor that can only come from sugar beet syrup. Did I mention sticky? Definitely sticky. Keep them refrigerated or they will easily fall apart. If they do fall apart then push them back together or roll them into balls. The shape doesn’t really matter.

German Fruit and Nut Bars | Magnolia Days

Have you had to hunt down an ingredient before? If so, what was it and what did you make with it? Scroll down to find links to more recipes that Sunday Supper contributors went on the hunt for an ingredient. Join me in reading each of their adventures and perhaps be inspired to begin a new hunt too. Oh and big thanks to our on the hunt event hosts; Stacy of Food Lust People Love and Tara of Noshing With The Nolands.

German Fruit and Nut Bars | Magnolia Days
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German Fruit and Nut Bars

A recipe for Germany Fruit and Nut Bars, a buttery, sticky, fruity, nutty, soft, and chewy treat. The special flavor comes from German sugar beet syrup.
Course Snack
Cuisine German
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Author Renee

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cornflakes 100 grams by weight
  • 2 1/2 cups old-fashoned oats
  • 1 cup chopped almonds or hazelnuts
  • 2 cups finely chopped dried fruit apricots, dates, blueberries, and/or cherries
  • 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
  • 14 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 7 ounces sugar beet syrup*
  • 1 cup light brown sugar not packed - 200 grams by weight

Instructions

  1. Line a 10- X 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Combine cornflakes, oats, almonds, dried fruit, and cranberries in a large bowl.
  3. Heat butter, sugar beet syrup, and brown sugar in a saucepan until melted and smooth. Pour over dry ingredients and stir to coat.
  4. Press into the prepared pan and chill overnight. Cut into bars.
  5. The bars are very soft and sticky. Wrap each one in parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. Keep bars refrigerated.

Recipe Notes

Time stated does not include chilling bars overnight. *Sugar beet syrup can be found on the internet. Search for "Original Grafschafter Goldsaft" made in Germany.

It’s time to go on the hunt for a special ingredient! Take a look at these recipes by Sunday Supper contributors and find your next food adventure:

Spread it on Thick

Nibbles and Sides

The Main Event

Sweet Treats

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Recipe Rating




Katie @ The Perfect Brownie

Tuesday 18th of November 2014

I love finding out about a new ingredient! Thanks for telling us about this.

Linda | Brunch with joy

Monday 17th of November 2014

Renee, this fruit nut bars sounds so yum and fun for the kids. I love all the ingredients and now I'm hunting for sugar beet syrup.

DB, Foodie Stuntman | Crazy Foodie Stunts

Monday 17th of November 2014

Sugar beet syrup? Intrigued. I wonder if you could substitute it for corn syrup in baked dishes.

Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Sunday 16th of November 2014

Hmm, you must have created a run on beet syrup because it isn't available! These bars look great though. I wonder if brown rice syrup would work.

Family Foodie

Sunday 16th of November 2014

Such a great recipe that I can't wait to try with the kids!