Jeni's Homemade Granola Bars

 My sister-in-law gave me this recipe a few years ago and I must have made it wrong back then because I never really liked it. Luckily, Nate talked me into trying it again recently and now we love it! This has replaced store-bought granola bars in our house (normally a staple for every grocery trip). I love being able to make these! And they are delicious! The best thing is, you can tweak the recipe to fit the tastes of your family.

Jeni's Homemade Granola Bars

(my edits in italics)

Makes about 12 2.5"x 5" bars

2 C oats

1/4 C brown sugar (I use 1/3 C)

1/4 C wheat bran or flax seed (optional, I've only tried wheat bran)

1 C flour

3/4 t salt

1/2 C honey (I use 1/4 C)

1 egg, beaten

1/4 C olive oil

1/3-1/2 C applesauce (depending on how moist you want your granola. I use closer to 1/2 C)

2 t vanilla or almond extract (Not a fan of almond, so I can't comment on that)

2 t cinnamon

Mini chocolate chips, M&Ms, raisins, nuts etc to taste (We're boring and have only ever added chocolate chips but we use 1 C or 1/2 a bag).

Mix all dry ingredients together by hand. Then form a well in the center and add all the wet ingredients, mix by hand. Then add your chocolate chips or whatever else. Pat onto a greased cookie sheet. 

Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes, depending on how hard or soft you want them. Let cool. Cut up and freeze extra. (We store our's in a large Ziploc in the cabinet and they're usually gone within a couple of days!)

***

Honey is expensive, so I add more brown sugar and less honey. Thus, I need to add a little more applesauce to make up for the moisture lost with half of the honey. Make sense?

Let me know if you try these and what you add in! I need to try some more fun add-ins!

**06/29/14 UPDATE: By adding 2 heaping tablespoons of peanut butter, you can take out the egg and I guess that makes these vegan! Also, we have since added sliced almonds, rice krispies and walnuts which are all great.