Granola Bars

I'm really not a fan of slaving all day to make everything from scratch, but this recipe is actually a lot tastier than store bought granola bars, and is easily adapted to make them how you like them. You can add basically anything in, cook longer to make them crunchier, and make the size and thickness you like. But the best part is that they are easy, easy.

Next time I make them, I will probably try to reduce the amount of oil to make them more healthy.

Playgroup Granola Bars

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup wheat germ (I used 1/4 C flax seed meal and 1/4 C bran meal)
  
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup raisins (optional)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 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(you may need less time-don't overbake) 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.

Nutrition Facts if cut into 24 bars: Calories: 161 | Total Fat: 5.5g | Cholesterol: 9mg