Home Made Chewy Granola Bars {Tasty Tuesday}

We don't often eat chewy granola bars but after the last time I bought them I thought I should look for a recipe. It wasn't until I was looking for a good treat to make for a family function that I actually made them. These were perfect! Everyone loved them, except Squirrel, whom for some reason is skeptical of treats I make (maybe he thought I hid veggies in them or something).

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of unsalted butter

1/4 cup of packed brown sugar

1/4 honey

1 1/2 cups plain granola

1 cup puffed rice cereal 

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1/4 cup peanut butter chips

1/4 sweetened shredded coconut

1/4 cup raisins

(you can substitute the flavored chips, coconut or raisins for your favorite add ins. If you want to omit one or more of the additives without replacement adjust recipe by adding more granola.)

Tip: You can add all dry ingredients to have the chocolate and peanut butter melted in, or you could press the chocolate and peanut butter chips in at the end. I will describe the recipe with everything mixed, you'll see the outcome of both versions. I think it is easier to mix it together, plus I like the ingredients to be evenly distributed.

Step One:

Mix together granola, rice cereal, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, coconut and raisins in large mixing bowl. Then set aside.

.

Step Two:

In small sauce pan melt butter, honey and brown sugar. Boil, stirring constantly, until sugar crystals are melted, about 1-2 minutes.

Step Three:

Pour melted mixture over the top of dry ingredients and mix together.

Step Four: 

Using a spatula, press the ingredients into a wax paper lined (or sprayed) pan. You want the bars to be 1/2-34 inch thick. Depending on the size of pan you use, you may not fill the whole pan. I made two batches and didn't quite fill a 13X9 inch pan.

Left shows chips pressed in afterwards, right shows chips melted in.

Pressed in pan, 3/4 high, smooth edges.

Step Five:

Cool completely then cut. You can individually wrap in wax paper, or store in the pan.

These are a quick, easy, no-bake sweet treat. Enjoyed by everyone. But a little bit goes a long way, as they are super sweet.

Do you plan on making these? Will (or did) you make the recipe as is or will (or did) you alter it to your family's favorite likes? Please share.