Granola Bars

With my favorite season upon us.....it not only means 'harvest' but it is time for healthy snacks for lunches! I am always looking for 'portable' goodies to bake. That is to say, things that can be packed in easy lunch bags...the 'boys' don't like the fuss of containers!

This Granola Bar recipe I stumbled across on the back of a Roger's Oats bag. The best thing about it is that you design the contents with a few basic steps. And for someone who has a hard time getting their baking to 'stick together'....this recipe is a sure thing. You will note from the pics that I did not have the SEEDS...I used poppy seed instead and guess what...it went over great!

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups oats
2 cups crisp rice
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1 cup nuts
1 cup dried fruits
1 cup seeds
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup honey
1 cup brown sugar

Combine oats, crisp rice, coconut, nuts dried fruits and seeds; set aside Place butter honey and brown sugar in a large pot. Over medium heat stir to combine ingredients as butter melts. When mixture begins to bubble add dry ingredients and stir well. Cook about 7 mins. until mixture is a light golden brown, stirring constantly to avoid over-browning. Lower heat if mixture is darkening too quickly. Press into lightly greased 9" x 13" pan. Press firmly. Cool completely, cut into bars and wrap individually.


For Seeds: Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds (grin - and poppy seeds)
For Nuts: Sliced Almonds, Chopped Hazelnuts, Pecans or Walnuts
For Dried Fruits: Raisins, Cranberries, Chopped Apricots