No Bake, Chewy Granola Bars

Granola bars are one of my favorite snacks. I love granola bars. Especially chewy ones. Crunchy granola bars are good and all but there is just something about it being soft and chewy.  This recipe is amazing! They are just like the Quaker granola bars which are great. But, the only problem is that granola bars, the healthy ones especially, are so expensive. This is a much better, inexpensive way of getting the same thing but for a better price. Anyways, they are super fast, only 5 minutes to mix up and 20 minutes to set. Give it a shot!

Ingredients:

•  4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/4 c. packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 c. honey
• 2 c. plain granola (I got honey almond granola and it is great!)
• 1 c. rice cereal (ex: Rice Krispies)
• 1/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 c. peanut butter chips

 Directions:

1. Line two 9X5 loaf pans or one 11X7 inch baking pan with foil or parchment. Lightly butter or spray 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 pan from heat.
4. Add the granola and rice cereal into the saucepan and fold them into the sauce until evenly coated.
5. Evenly spread the mixture into the pans and press down firmly with a spatula. Sprinkle the chocolate and peanut butter chips onto the top of the granola and gently press them down with a spatula.
6. Let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or until mostly cooked and set; lift out of the pan and cut into bars.

Lower sugar version:  Use low-sugar granola; reduce both brown sugar and honey to 2 Tbsp. each. Omit 2 Tbsp. granola. Omit peanut butter chips, and use 1/4 c. mini chocolate chips instead of regular size.

 There are some more variations which I will put up as I make them but really you can add whatever you want.

(http://backtothecuttingboard.com/dessert/no-bake-chewy-granola-bars/)