Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

[browniebaker]

Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

Serves 24.

Inspired by the favorite Rice-Krispies Treats of my childhood, these granola bars are deliciously soft and chewy and irresistible to kids, especially the peanut-butter-and-chocolate-chip variation.

3 cups crisped-rice cereal

2 cups toasted rolled oats

1 cup toasted chopped nuts

1 cup toasted sunflower seeds

1 cup raisins or chopped dried fruit

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup honey or corn syrup

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

7 ounces marshmallows

Grease 9" x 13" rectangular pan. Combine rice cereal, oats, nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, and sesame seeds. Set aside. In large saucepan over low heat, heat oil, honey, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Add marshmallows. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in cereal mixture until well coated. Spread into pan. Press firmly into pan. Cool to room temperature. Cut into 24 bars.

For peanut-butter-and-chocolate chip granola bars, substitute chocolate chips for raisins, substitute peanut butter for vegetable oil, and omit spices. Spread one-third of mixture onto bottom of pan, cool slightly, and sprinkle one-half of chocolate chips evenly over mixture. Repeat. Spread remaining one-third of mixture on top before pressing firmly into pan.

For chocolate granola bars, heat 1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa with oil and honey, and omit spices.

Keywords: Brownies/Bars, Snack, Easy, Vegan

( RG964 )