We’re a few days into 2011, and it’s back to the grindstone. After a season of ultra rich, fatty and sugary foods, and lots of festive cheer, most of us are ready to turn a perennial new leaf of increased activity and healthier foods. As a nod to these well-intentioned resolutions — and an inclination to bake some healthy, tasty, high fiber snacks for my family — I’ve whipped up a batch of these delicious, nut-free granola bars.

Inspired by Saturday’s power outage thanks to Hurricane Earl — and the browning bananas camping out in the cupboard — my mind conjured up a culinary mash-up that I’m fondly referring to as the “blackout brownie”: a moist, chewy, cocoalicious brownie mellowed out with a little kick of the irresistible flavor of banana bread.