S'more Chewy Granola Bars

adapted from Rachel Ray via backtothecuttingboard.com

Ingredients

4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar (see tips above)

1/4 cup honey

2 cups plain granola

1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)

2 tbsp. graham cracker crumbs (optional - but we didn't use it due to the gluten)

1 cup mini marshmallows

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Process

Line two 9×5 loaf pans or one 11×7 inch baking pan with parchment. Set aside.

Combine honey and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in brown sugar after butter starts to melt.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Add the granola, rice cereal and graham cracker crumbs into the saucepan and fold them into the sauce until evenly coated. Very gently fold in the marshmallows.

Spread the mixture into the prepared pans and press firmly with a spatula to evenly fill. Sprinkle the chocolate chips onto the top of the granola and gently press them down.

Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or until mostly cooled and set; lift out of the pan and cut into bars.

Applesauce Granola - no nuts, seeds, or raisins when preparing for granola bars!

Preheat oven to 300F

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

1 cup nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup ground flax

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/3 cup raisins

In a large bowl, mix together oats, nuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, warm the applesauce with the honey and oil over low heat.

Mix the applesauce mixture into the oat mixture and stir to coat everything. Spread the mixture onto a 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake for 50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until the granola is a deep brown. Remove from oven and stir in raisins. Cool completely before enjoying.