How to Make Your Own Granola Bars!

Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup butter, softened*
1 cup honey

Add-ins: 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup chopped walnuts
other options include dried fruits, sunflower seeds, coconut, nuts…

*If you have hard butter, you can roll it under wax paper with a rolling pin.

Lightly butter a 9×13-inch pan.  In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients except add-ins.  Beat hard until combined.  Stir in add-ins.  Press mixture into pan — really jam it in there so your bars don’t fall apart.  Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes until golden brown.  Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting into bars.  Let bars cool completely in pan before removing and serving.

These end up cutting into at LEAST the equivalent of 2-3 storebought boxes of Quaker bars.  So even though honey and butter are a bit pricey, I’m sure they are much more frugal and for SURE healthier than pre-made.  They last great in the refrigerator or on the counter, and for sure in the freezer for a long time.  Your family will eat them before they get stale, believe me! (Yes, real butter is good for you!)

ENJOY!