Easy Granola Bars

My kids love granola bars, but they are expensive to buy here in John Day.  I did a quick search online yesterday and found these yummy, easy Playgroup Granola Bars.  I made the first batch with raisins, only baking 22 minutes and ended with a delicious, chewy bar.  My changes are in parenthesis below. Next time, I'll double or triple them because we ate the whole pan last night. Enjoy!

Photo from All Recipes

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats (2 1/2 c)
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (1/2c)
• 1/2 cup wheat germ (ground flax seed)
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (1 tsp)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (or whole wheat)
• 3/4 cup raisins (chocolate chips or craisins)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 (8x8 for thicker bars) inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 30 to 35 (20-25 for chewy bars) minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.

I just finished another batch, this time doubling the recipe and spreading it into a jelly-roll pan. Baked them for 25 minutes and they are perfect! Next time I think I'll add some peanut butter and chocolate chips instead of raisins :)

Linked to Craftaholics Anonymous Recipe Swap.