Chelsea's Home-made Granola Bars

Chelsea S. sent these to activity days day camp for the girls and leaders and they were AWESOME!!!  We all insisted on having the recipe...here it is...

Awesome Oat Bars

4 cups *quick cooking oats
2 cups crispy rice cereal
⅓ cup wheat germ

Mix in large bowl.

⅓ cup peanut butter (any kind)
½ cup honey
½ cup brown sugar
6 T. unsalted or salted butter

Combine in small saucepan.  Heat on medium until bubbling-- turn to low and stir for one minute.  Take off heat and add 1 tsp. vanilla (optional) and 1 tsp. salt (optional).

Add saucepan ingredients to bowl.  Stir well.   Press mixture into 9x13 pan really, really good.  Let sit for a bit (place in fridge for 30 min. or freezer for 15 min. if you’re impatient) and then cut into 20 (or more) awesome oat bars.  Store in an airtight container and eat often!

Recipe adapted from Lauren’s Latest by Chelsea S.
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Nutella version: decrease butter to 5 T. and add a spoonful of Nutella to pan mixture

Chocolate Chip version: Add ½ to ¾ cup mini chocolate chips to melt chocolate throughout bars or cool in bowl for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally-- then mix in chocolate chips so they’re not melted. 

Add-ins (raisins, nuts, coconut, seeds, etc.) version: I would suggest adding a bit more honey or brown sugar or using 1/3 cup less oats (or same amount as add-ins). I have no experience as of yet with this version but my friend made some with raisins with above recipe and said the bars wouldn’t hold together as well. 

• The sweetness and saltiness of the oat bars will depend on type of peanut butter and butter used and if you add salt.

• If you don’t have wheat germ just add more crispy rice or oats or substitute with an add-in.

*Make your own quick cooking oats with regular rolled oats by placing a cup at a time in a blender and pulsing 3 or 4 times.  I take blender off base after each pulse and shake it up and down once.  Measure again for recipe.

Note from Chelsea:  I made the Nutella version for the day camp and used unsalted butter, fresh ground peanut butter (bought in Winco bulk area) and didn't add salt or vanilla.  Making them with normal pb is also yummy but a little sweeter.  I adapted the recipe from Lauren's Latest (http://www.laurenslatest.com/no-bake-chocolate-chip-granola-bars-easy-healthy/) a few months ago and have been testing them out on anyone and everyone (seriously)!