“You know, you are never going to win the election….” I can’t tell you how often that phrase has been spoken to my face since I began my campaign for Marshall School Board. Granted, I may not be the most well-known candidate in town, but you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone more passionate about public education. I also heard this week through the rumor mill that people think I home-school my children and they don’t know why I would be running for school board. I’m just hoping the residents of Marshall take a few minutes to become properly informed about all five candidates and then make their choice.
I was feeling a bit down after being set straight once again over the weekend by a well-intentioned voter. So what did I do? Bake….with chocolate. Though I was tempted to make a proven recipe so I would be able to properly envelope my grouchiness in deliciousness, instead I went for something new.
This recipe holds the record for the fastest disappearing baked good in our household. Yep, they were that good. The fact that they are super easy and quick makes me love them even more! No more buying lousy store bought granola bars that are full of artificial junk. These are a 100 times better and I’m looking forward to playing around with different additions like raisins, mini M&M’s, marshmallows, peanut butter, and sunflower seeds.
Chewy Granola Bars
makes 16 bars
from makeandtakes.com
2 1/2 C quick oats (I used whole oats and pulsed them in the food processor)
1/2 C rice krispies
1/4 C coconut
1/2 C mini chocolate chips
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C unsalted butter, softened
1/4 C honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, or use your electric mixer with a paddle attachment. Press into a 9 x 13 pan with clean damp hands. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes. Score the bars when they first come out of the oven then let them cool completely and then cut into bars.
**I make a double recipe and bake them in a large rimmed cookie sheet.
This sounds fabulous. I hate buying those granola bars. There are so many possibilities. Thanks Carole. Amazing what people will say. You are amazing.
I made your recipe with butter and then instead with coconut oil. I found that the butter ones just became like normal granola. The coconut oil however made true granola bars. A little oily, but much yummier and held their shape! Thank you for the recipe!
these are awesome!! I used 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup coconut oil and they turned out fantastic!
I made these the other night and they are FANTASTIC!! I omitted the coconut because…YUCK! And I added a little extra peanut butter (like 1/4 cup) and regular sized chocolate chips! I will NEVER EVER buy granola bars from the store again. Ever!
Found this link on FB. Made them tonight. SO good! I didn’t have vanilla but I did chop some dates and added it with the mini chocolate chips. Yum! Added a moist quality.
I’ve tried this recipe and the no bake recipe and for some reason mine don’t stick together like true granola bars. Not sure what I’m doing wrong, but it’s depressing! Lol
Can I just use Old Fashioned Oats?
You can but your bars might fall apart. The finer cut oats make the bars stick together a bit better. If you have whole oats, just stick them in a food processor or blender and pulse them a bit
Will these keep wrapped individually in Saran Wrap for a couple of weeks like the no bake recipe you have posted?
Thanks!
Great question Samantha! These ones do have a bit shorter shelf life than my no-bake ones but wrapping them in plastic wrap will definitely help them keep the longest. A friend of mine also refrigerates hers to keep them longer.
I make these monthly and they freeze exceptionally well!
I want to make these. What do you mean when you say score the bars?
Hey there Natalie! Great question. Right when they come out of the oven, use a knife to press straight down where you will later cut them into bars. If you try to cut them when they are hot, they will crumble into pieces so just score them, or press straight down. Once they cool completely, you can then go over the scored lines and cut them. It just helps them cut cleanly and not fall apart
Hi these sound awesome but is there a way to reduce the amount of sugar without affecting the texture/chewiness of the recipe?
Hi Elsa! I do have a version that uses coconut oil instead of butter and agave nectar instead of honey if you are interested in that! https://www.mykitchenescapades.com/no-bake-chewy-granola-bars-revised/