Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

This time, Pinterest did not fail me! (I'm still disappointed about those mozzarella sticks.) I found a recipe for homemade chewy granola bars (like the kind you get from Quaker) and I finally tried them this weekend. SO DELICIOUS. And Nathan keeps going back for more - a true sign of success.

So here's the deal. First I made this granola recipe. Then I made it into granola bars with this fantastic recipe. Trust me on this one: you want to visit that second website. She has tons of tips and info that she's learned from lots of trial and error, and that's why mine turned out fantastic the very first time. I've copied the recipes below for you, but definitely check out the source material because it is fantastic. I just made plain granola bars (I was going to add chocolate chips but I forgot) and they are really tasty.

I am totally going to make big batches of granola and whip it up into granola bars whenever the urge strikes. Seriously, once the granola is done these are easier than Rice Krispy Treats.

Applesauce Granola (modified)

Ingredients

- 3 cups old fashioned oats

- 1/4 cup brown sugar

- 1 teaspoon cinnamon

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

- 1 tablespoon honey

- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300F.

2. In a large bowl, mix together oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a small saucepan, warm the applesauce with the honey and oil over low heat. (I didn't read the directions and just mixed everything in straightway without heating this up. I don't know if it really made a difference or not.)

4. Mix the applesauce mixture into the oat mixture and stir to coat everything. Spread the mixture onto a 9 x 13 baking pan.

5. Bake for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until the granola is a deep brown. Remove from oven. Cool completely before enjoying.

IMHO, this particular version of the granola is not that great on its own (again, maybe that's because I didn't follow the directions completely) but in the granola bars, it is phenomenal. 

Plain Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients

- 4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

- 1/4 cup honey

- 2 cups plain granola

- 1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)

Directions

1. Line two 9×5 loaf pans or one 11×7 inch baking pan with foil or parchment. Lightly butter or spray the foil. Set aside.

2. Combine butter, honey and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted.

3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

4. Add the granola and rice cereal into the saucepan and fold them into the sauce until evenly coated.

5. Spread the mixture into the prepared pans and press firmly with a spatula to evenly fill.

6. Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or until mostly cooled and set; lift out of the pan and cut into bars. Store in airtight container layered with wax or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.