Granola Bars

Ingredients:
4-1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 cup softened butter
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup nuts (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 325 F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, and baking soda. In a small mixing bowl, combine vanilla, butter, honey and brown sugar. Stir this mixture into dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, etc. Lightly press mixture into the pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes then cut into squares. Cool completely before removing or serving.

Play around with this recipe! Make it your own. Substitute whole wheat flour for the all purpose flour. Try adding ground flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds. Try adding other kinds of dried fruit, such as chopped apricots, craisins, or dates. You can also add flaked coconut, butterscotch chips, or wheat germ. If you want to go even healthier, use canola oil instead of butter, and use sucanat instead of brown sugar.

Many thanks to Francine Palmer in the Hilltop Ward for finding this recipe on the internet, trying it out, loving it, and sharing it!!