No bake granola bars

This summer it was just a little bit too hot to turn the oven on to do any cooking so I was in a bit of a dilemma not having any homemade snack food around here.  I was so happy when I found this recipe for a no bake granola bar over at Two peas and their pod.  It might be a little too late for the heat but not for the school season and since we aren't a peanut free school I will be making these for snack time.

So heres the recipe

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups quick oats (if using large just pulse in blender a few times)
1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
3/4 cup chopped pretzels
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (or any kind of crushed chocolate you have)

Directions:

1. Line an 8 x 8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper.

2. In a large sauce pan, add butter, brown sugar, honey and peanut butter. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture starts to bubble. Once bubbling, cook for 2 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

3. Stir in the oats, crispy cereal, and pretzels. Stir until well coated. Pour into the prepared pan. Press the mixture evenly into the pan. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the top and gently press into the granola bars with your hands.

4. Place the bars in the refrigerator and let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Cut into bars and serve.

Note: store the bars in the refrigerator. 

Here are some granola bar tips I have from my years of trying to make the prefect one.  

1.   Always use parchment paper.  You can buy it at the dollar store.

2.  If using larger oats you should put them into the food processor and pulse a few times.  This helps them stay together better.

3.  Always let them chill before you try to cut them.  The cooler they are the better they will cut.

4.  Never saw your bars with the knife.  Have a sharp one that will cut through them. 

These bars were made as a dessert for a friend who had a baby so to wrap them up I cut strips of parchment paper and wrapped it around the bars then tired it with string.  Placed on a pretty plate and ta-da a great snack for a nursing mama!