Back to School Week: Chewy Granola Bars

You may remember - a long while back - that I posted another recipe for Granola Bars.  While pretty, they just weren't what I was looking for in a granola bar.  Because all the ladies here at Blah to Ta-Daa are doing a Back to School Week theme, I thought it would be a good time to finally find a granola bar recipe that lived up to all my wildest dreams.  Ok, maybe not all my wildest (calorie-free food ranks up there in wildest) dreams; but definitely yummy and a keeper recipe.

And, I've found it!  Holy Smokes, these things are good.  Even after I cut out some of the butter and sugar, they were still like eating little cookies.  Yummm...5 Spoons for us!

Enjoy!



         

Chewy Granola Bars
heavily adapted from Allrecipes.com

1/3 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. natural peanut butter (microwave it for a second if it's not easy to stir)
1/4 c. agave syrup or corn syrup or honey
2 Tbsp. butter, melted  (or your favorite nondairy substitute)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. oats
3 Tbsp. wheat germ
1/2 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease an 8" square pan.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, peanut butter, corn syrup, butter and vanilla. Stir in the oats and wheat germ.  Then, fold in the chocolate chips.

Spray your hands with cooking spray and then press firmly and evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until edges are browned. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and let rest overnight before cutting into bars and removing from pan. Yes, overnight! These bars get better as they age, so resist temptation to cut into them early!

Ingredient Lineup:

The mixture may seem crumbly, but don't worry.

Press firmly into a greased pan.

Bake until just the edges are browned.

Let rest overnight before cutting.

Yum!