Since Capri has started Kindergarten my lunch and snack creativeness has needed some work! I like to make sure I can give my girls healthy but super yummy snacks that are super easy to pack in her lunch pail. Of course, they will eat three Chewy bars in one sitting but knew that I could find a healthier alternative for the prepackaged treats they love. I landed on this beauty of a granola bar recipe from Lauren's Latest It's easy and quick and my girls are happy campers!
Image via Lauren's Latest
No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Healthier and cheaper than the store bought kind!
yield: 10 BARS
prep time: 2 HOURS INCLUDING COOLING TIME cook time: 5 MINUTES total time: 2 HOURS 5 MINUTES
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup honey 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!} 1 cup crispy rice cereal 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together. Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased small jelly roll pan {about 12x8x1} and press out to be about 3/4 inch in thickness. {If your pan isn't small enough, pack the mixture into one side. You really want to press them down so they stick together.} Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly. Cool on a countertop to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Recipe Notes: If your granola bars don't seem to be staying together when you cut them, you may have not boiled the mixture long enough...you want it to make it just past the softball stage. OR you made them too thin or you didn't pack them in tight enough. Stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes and that should help keep them together. {Be sure not to keep them in there too long or else they'll become super hard!} The next time you make them, try boiling for an extra 15 seconds or so.
Adapted from a recipe from Rachael Ray.