Peanut Butter Granola Bars

I fully intended to have this ready to post on Friday.  But, Doug and I went on a marriage retreat last weekend and I just didn't get it done with everything else I had to get ready.  So, there just might be two recipes this week - we'll see if I actually get a second one done Thursday or Friday!

Anyway, this recipe is one of two granola bar recipes that our family enjoys.  These granola bars resemble a chewy granola bar.  Sometime within the next few weeks I'll share the recipe that is more similar to the Quaker Oats breakfast bars.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup peanut butter (we like to use half crunchy and half creamy)
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup butter
3 cups oats (either quick oats or regular can be used, depending on the texture you desire)
1/4 cup raisins, mini chocolate chips, or for a more blended chocolate flavor just chop up some dark baking chocolate

Combine butter, honey, and peanut butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.  Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a rolling boil and continue boiling for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and mix in oats, then chocolate or raisins.  Press into 8x8 pan. Let mixture set until firm, but not hard.  Cut into 16 bars, then chill in pan until completely set.  Store in an airtight container.

Our additional tips:

• Line the pan with wax paper, letting the ends of the paper slightly overlap the edge of the pan.  This makes for easy removal and cleanup.
• We usually double the recipe and use a jelly roll pan - they get eaten too quickly in our house to just do one batch at a time!
• If the mixture seems too dry and crumbly as it sets, it makes a great granola!  Suggestions for preventing dry, crumbly bars: moisten the oats with a couple Tbs of water before stirring them in; make sure to cook over medium heat, even if it seems to take forever for the mixture to come to a boil; if the mixture begins to seem even the least bit stringy, remove it from the heat immediately and mix in the oats.