No Bake Granola Bars

These granola bars are super easy and super delicious. I have made these many times and have used other chips, besides mini chocolate. In fact, the picture below show peanut butter chips. I basically use what ever I have on hand.

Even though these granola bars are super easy to make, there can be some problems with them not sticking together. Here is what I have learned from making them many times. Make sure you pack them down super tight. The back of a measuring cup works well for this or lay a piece of wax paper down and use another pan of similar size to press the bars down. Do this before adding the chips or they will stick to things.

Even though the original recipe says to not store them in the refrigerator because they will get super hard, I have done it with a layer of wax paper in between layer of bars and have never had a problem with them getting super hard. Lastly, you can use quick cook oats or old fashioned oats, either taste great, however quick cook oats tend to stick together better.

No Bake Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 cups quick cooking oats
• 2 cup crispy rice cereal
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. In a large bowl stir together the oats and rice cereal. Set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, over medium high heat, melt the butter, honey and brown sugar together until it comes to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 2 minutes or until the temperature reaches 240°F. Turn off heat and add vanilla stirring to combine.
4. Pour the hot mixture over the dry ingredients and mix very well until all the ingredients are moistened.
5. Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish and press down very well. You want to pack them down as tight as possible.
6. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and lightly press down. Cool on the counter top for about 2 hours or until room temperature.
7. Cut into bars.

Enjoy!!!

Serves: 16
Calories: 189
Total Fat: 6.1g
   Saturated: 3.3g
   Polyunsaturated: 0.5g
   Monounsaturated: 0.5g
   Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 11.2mg
Sodium: 19mg
Potassium: 12.4mg
Total Carbs: 34.6g
   Dietary Fiber: 2.1g
   Sugars: 17.9g
Protein: 2.9g
Vitamin A: 5.5%
Vitamin C: 2.5%
Calcium: 5%
Iron: 5.4%
*The nutritional information will vary slightly depending on the brands you use.
*Adapted from Lauren's Latest.