Homemade Granola Bars

We've uncovered some food sensitivities at our house and are in the process of making a few changes to our pantry and recipe rotation. Thankfully I love to cook and am enjoying the challenge of revamping our eating routines. Two of us are cutting eggs, gluten, and peanuts. One of us has also stopped eating dairy products. The third is just along for the adventure! Last week I made this granola recipe. It makes a ton and was very forgiving in that I left out the sesame seeds and added some pecans. Mine teetered on the edge of overdone, so if you try it, watch it closely while baking. I've enjoyed it with rice milk and as a topping on apple slices with almond butter. It really knocked my socks off in the granola bars pictured above, though.

I took an online cooking class called 30 Day Vegan from Heather who blogs at Beauty That Moves. (One of my all time favorite places to visit, btw.) My granola bars are based on her recipe. I can't link to the original because it was a recipe exclusive to the class. I highly recommend both her classes, though. They are packed with excellent info and tons of yummy recipes. Well worth the time and money!

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Ingredients:
coconut oil (for greasing the pan)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup nut butter (I used almond, but peanut would also work.)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups granola (I used the granola I linked to above. Whatever you choose to use, make sure it has dried fruit in it...cranberries, cherries, apricots all would be excellent.)
1 cup crispy rice cereal (I used Erewhon brand.)
1/4 cup chocolate chips (Enjoy Life chocolate chips are allergen free.)

Directions:
1. Lightly grease an 8x8 baking dish with coconut oil.
2. In a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, and nut butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil and stir constantly until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.
3. Stir in vanilla. Remove from heat.
4. Add the granola and crispy rice cereal. Stir to combine.
5. Transfer mixture to baking dish. Gently spread to evenly distribute.
6. Sprinkle the chocolate chips across the top, and use the back of a spoon to press mixture into the dish. The more you press, the better the bars will hold together when you slice them.
7. Cool completely. Slice into squares or bars and serve.

These received rave reviews from both Liza and Lee, and I love them too. So easy and totally yummy!