Homemade granola bars

I'm always trying out new recipes, ideas, and projects. (For those of you who are new here, that's why today is Tried It Out Thursday) Lately, I've been spending lots of time on Pinterest (anyone else, shyly raise your hand) and I've been trying out some of the ideas and recipes I find there. What's the point of pinning them, if you are not going to use them?

So this week I'm sharing some homemade granola bars that I found through Pinterest at two peas and their pod.

These are my favorite treat so far! I've tried another granola bar, a couple of granola bites, and a couple of healthy cookie recipes, but these are my favorite.

Here's the recipe:

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Yield: 8-10 bars

 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
3/4 cup chopped pretzels
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Cut out an 8 x 8 inch square of parchment paper. Place the parchment paper in the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch baking pan.
2. In a large sauce pan, add butter, brown sugar, honey and peanut butter. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture starts to bubble. Once bubbling, cook for 2 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Stir in the oats, crispy cereal, and pretzels. Stir until well coated. Pour into the prepared pan. Press the mixture evenly into the pan. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the top and gently press into the granola bars with your hands.
4. Place the bars in the refrigerator and let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Cut into bars and serve. 

Adapted from Rachael Ray

I have substituted sugar in the raw for the brown sugar and I'm going to try them next with coconut oil substituted for the butter.  As is, they are still healthier than a packaged, processed bar!

I'll be sharing here:

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