MOMS CRAZY COOKING: Homemade Granola Bars {SECRET RECIPE CLUB}

Monday, October 22, 2012

Homemade Granola Bars {SECRET RECIPE CLUB}

I decided it was time to try my hand at a Homemade Granola Bar, I can't believe how easy it was, and this batch made a large amount which was perfect for me to take to my daughter's dorm room in Missouri during my visit last week.

Of course, a granola bar isn't a granola bar (in my house) without a little bit of chocolate, so I added some of that into this already delicious recipe from Mele Cotte my Secret Recipe Club blogger for this month, and wah-la a perfect Homemade Granola Bar.

We had been BOO'ed! on our door step and thought it was the cutest thing ever (see photos below) and so we made little goodie bags for the 2nd floor dorm rooms and BOO'ed! everyone there! It was so cute and adorable and all the girls loved it.

My girls are LOVING College-Life.

My mom (g'ma) and I got to visit my twins in Missouri this past week for Parents Weekend and Homecoming festivities. We flew in on Wednesday night and spent 5-days there, shopping, cleaning, doing some laundry for them and just enjoying our time with them. Although I miss them very very much, I know there are exactly where God wants them to be. They are having so much fun meeting so many new friends and loving all that college-life has to offer.

We did a little decorating for Halloween and here are my girls with their awesome room mates (Ashlyn & Elizabeth) and (Kayley & Keilah). Plus a fun MUG shot of mama bear and her twins. The BOO! letter is the cute letter we found on our door step one morning and this is the note we left for all the college girls too on their doors along with a good bag complete with the Peep Ghost S'more and a Homemade Granola Bar.

Here is my SECRET RECIPE CLUB post for the month of October. The blog I had was called Mele Cotte and I pinned a whole bunch of fun recipes to try.

Here we go with my 19th post for the Secret Recipe Club; Group C .

Homemade Granola Bars

adapted by me, original recipe found at Mele Cotte

1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 tbsp brown sugar
3/4 cup heath (toffee) pieces
1/4 cup honey
1 cup raisins
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
5-6 cups rice krispy cereal (or 1/2 rice krispy cereal and 1/2 granola)
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Spray a bar pan cookie sheet with Pam cooking spray and then line with parchment paper.

In a large saucepan, melt butter, brown sugar, toffee, and honey over low heat, stirring frequently. Gently bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Add raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir to combine. Add rice cereal and mix well. Wait for at least 3 to 5 minutes before adding in chocolate chips (because you don't want them to melt). Once mixture has cooled down a little add in chocolate chips and gently stir. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, spread evenly. I like to add an additional sheet of parchment paper to the top and roll evenly with a roller, pressing firmly.

Cool, then chill until firm. Cut into bars. To give away or save until later, wrap individually in Saran wrap.