Chocolate Fudge Granola Bars

Book: Still reading “When to Rob a Bank” and having to explain each time that I’m not really going to rob a bank!  And the one small chapter about robbing banks basically is that there is no good day to rob a bank (duh) and that there is a way to do it.  But most of us who have worked for a bank know the answer – and so do our superiors.  That’s why 2 week vacations are mandatory and cannot be split into 2 – 1 week vacations.  If you want the answer, you’ll have to read the book 🙂

Recipe:  I love a good homemade granola bar.  We still make and love these trail mix bars from a few years ago.  Although it is hard to beat some of the Costco deals on granola bars… even the KIND bars are still $1 each.  So, here is a yummy alternative to have granola bars at your fingertips!!

Why I loved this recipe:

1.  It is so simple – kids can make it!  They can measure and add the ingredients to the bowl.
2.  No baking required.
3.  I know all the ingredients going in
4.  We can change the ingredients to our tastes

Different ways to change these up:

1.  substitute another nut butter or soy butter for peanut butter
2.  Use any dried fruit you like: dried cranberries, dried pineapple, chopped dried apricots, etc.
3.  Use nuts instead of raisins
3.  Use dark chocolate or milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet

Chocolate Fudge Granola Bars

 

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: Mary Ellen P. Riley / Whisk Together

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup coconut oil
• ½ cup (3 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 and ¼ cups old fashioned oats
• ¾ cup rice crisp cereal (Crisp Rice by Trader Joe's, Kellogg's Rice Krispies)
• ¾ cup raisins (or craisins, nuts, seeds, dried pineapple, etc.)
• 1 Tb. mini chocolate chips or marshmallow bits

Instructions

1. Lay parchment, non-stick foil or wax paper into a 8x8", 9x9", 7x11" or equivalent size pan. It should hang off the sides for easy removal later.
2. In a large microwave safe bowl, microwave the coconut oil and chocolate chips in 30 second intervals. Stir each 30 seconds. After 60-90 seconds, the chocolate should be melted or almost melted. Keep stirring and it will all melt together.
3. Add the peanut butter and stir until smooth. If it will not melt together, put it back in the microwave for 15 seconds.
4. Add the oats, cereal and raisins (or mix ins). Fold the mixture together with a spatula. Try not to crush the cereal.
5. Pour the mixture into the pan . Use the back of the spatula to gently press the bars into the pan. Pop in the fridge for 2 hours to firm up. Lift them out of the pan, cut and eat! Keep covered in the fridge for longer term storage.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction

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