Homemade Granola Bars...YUM!!!

After my kids nap they need to watch a T.V. show and eat a snack. The girls are the type that you don't wake abruptly they need time to come out of that sleepy state. If they are not given this time then a bad case of the "grumpies" come on them! Ahem...I have no idea who they got this trait from ;) So, we have fallen into the routine of them climbing in Mommy's bed with a light snack and some T.V. time.

I learned quickly to offer a piece of fruit or veggie at this time, about 4:00-4:30 pm, or they would not eat a "proper supper". However, sometimes when grandparents come to visit they leave us with yummy treats like fruit snacks and we get in the habbit of eating those. Now, we eat the "all natural" kind but still I don't think it is something that should be eaten on a daily basis. So, I was trying to decide what could be healthy and yet fun for the kids.....GRANOLA bars. Well, these get to be a bit pricey plus there are some of those "bad for you preservatives" in them.

I googled a few recipes and decided that it would be fairly easy to make my own.

My Super Cute Assistant:

Here is what you will need:

• 4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar (see tips above)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 cups plain granola (I made our granola too)
• 1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Process

1. Line one 11×7 inch baking pan with foil or parchment. Lightly butter or spray the foil. Set aside.
2. Combine honey and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in brown sugar after butter starts to melt.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
4. Add the granola and rice cereal into the saucepan and fold them into the sauce until evenly coated.
5. Spread the mixture into the prepared pans and press firmly with a spatula to evenly fill. Sprinkle the chocolate and peanut butter chips onto the top of the granola and gently press them down with the spatula.
6. Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or until mostly cooled and set; lift out of the pan and cut into bars.