Chewy Granola Bars

Chewy  Granola Bars

yield: 20 bars

This is a variation of the chewy granola bars recipe I have made many times.  The kids adore this recipe with the dried fruit.   

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1/2 cup honey or maple syrup

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

4 cups quick cooking oats

2 cup crispy rice cereal

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup dried fruit (raisins, craisins, etc.)

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir oats, rice cereal and dried fruit together. Set aside. In a medium pot, melt butter, honey (or maple syrup) and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes.  Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased quarter sheet pan (12"x9"x1").  Press out the granola mixture evenly in the pan, making sure to pack them down so they stick together.  Cool on the counter top to room temperature for at least two hours until set before cutting into bars. You can speed up the process by putting them in the refrigerator.  Cut into bars and wrap in parchment or plastic wrap.

 This recipe is very easily doubled for a larger batch, just use a half sheet pan (12"x18"x1").

Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

yield: 20 bars

I have made this recipe several times and the kids always gobble them up.  I think next time I will try substituting raisins for the chocolate chips and mixing them into the granola mixture directly.  I'll update the recipe when I try that variation.  

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1/2 cup honey or maple syrup

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

4 cups quick cooking oats

2 cup crispy rice cereal

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together. Set aside. In a medium pot, melt butter, honey (or maple syrup) and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes. Off the heat, add in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased quarter sheet pan (12"x9"x1").  Press out the granola mixture evenly in the pan, making sure to pack them down so they stick together. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly. Cool on the counter top to room temperature for at least two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. You can speed up the process by putting them in the refrigerator.  Cut into bars and wrap in parchment or plastic wrap.

I made a double batch for a school event and I'm glad I did!

 This recipe is very easily doubled for a larger batch, just use a half sheet pan (12"x18"x1").