Granola bars

I saw an ad in the Albertson's flyer this week for Quaker products at 5/$9. They also had a coupon for$3 off, so it would have been 5/$6. I thought that was a great price considering we buy granola bars each week for Saturday's football game. Then it dawned on me, "why am I ecstatic about that price when I have all the things I need in my pantry to make my own?" If I make my own, I would know what's in them, I would not have to waste gas to go to Albertson's and it would be virtually "free" since I already have all the ingredients. I use to always make our granola bars, so why did I stop? Sheer laziness, I bet. It's not hard to make them, nor is it time consuming, so I really don't have an excuse. So yesterday afternoon we set out to make them. We made four different varieties: peanut butter chip, chocolate chip, reese's candy pieces, and walnut/cranberry/raisin/chocolate chip. Yum, yum, yum!!! I made two batches of the mix and then divided them into 4 bowls, then mixed in the add-ins. Then Jaylem and I pressed them into the cookie sheet with rims. Sorry I didn't get to take a picture of them, because we had to rush out of the house to football practice. Here's the recipe if you're interested:



Granola Bars



3 cups rolled oats

1 1/2 cups rice crispies

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

2/3 cup butter or margarine (softened)

1/2 cup honey

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 cups of add-ins (total)



Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease pan. Mix all ingredients (by hand or a wooden spoon) except add-ins. Then stir in the add-ins. If you are making a variety, then separate the mix and add the add-ins to each.



Lightly press the mixture into the pan and bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let the bars cool completely in pan before removing.



We let them sit in the pan while we went to football practice, which is 2.5 hours. Then we wrapped them individually with foil, and put them in ziploc bags.



If I must say so myself, the ones with the walnuts are the best. Of course the kids were turned off by the dried cranberries.



I feel so much better about the kids consuming these. They are filling, too.

"Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones." Genesis 50:21