Chewy Granola Bars

Manda's Note:

I "borrowed" this recipe from the kitchen at my college because I fell in love with these bars. They are so much better than store-bought, and you can add or subtract ingredients as you wish. They make a perfect on-the-go snack; a much healthier alternative to chips or cookies, especially for kids (Great for lunch boxes!)

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 16 bars

• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• ¼-½ cup butter or ¼-½ cup margarine , softened
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups crisp rice cereal (Rice Krispies)
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 ½ cups rolled oats
• raisins (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° and lightly grease or spray 9 x 13 pan.
2. In large bowl, beat brown sugar, sugar, and butter until light and fluffy.
3. Blend in honey, vanilla and egg.
4. In separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add flour mixture gradually to sugar mixture and beat until combined.
6. By hand, stir in almonds, chocolate chips and oats until well mixed.
7. Press mixture firmly in bottom of greased pan, and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes, or until light golden brown.
8. Cool and cut into squares.

Reviews

[Narshmellow]

This is a most excellent recipe. My family said they were better than any granola bar from a store! Very easy to make. You could do it with your kids if you have some. Note: I cut the sugar to 1 cup and used organic, I used whole wheat pastry flour instead of white, used only half the chocolate chips and replaced the other half with coconut. Nevertheless! Chewy, moist, and flavorful and very sweet! A big must if you're looking for that granola bar! Thanks!

[merlendale merlendale]

This recipe is fabulous. My husband gobbled up the bars that I made for the kids!

[Red Rampage]

This was fantastic. I made a few changes to make it a bit more healthy. I reduced the sugar to 3/4c of brown sugar, added only a tbsp of honey, 1/2 c of chocolate chips, used whole wheat flour, and instead of rice crispies I used the Original Fiber One cereal. Cooked for only 17 minutes. They're great!