White Chocolate & Craisin Oat Squares

These granola “cookie bars” are great for breakfast or for snacking with milk or tea as a chaser. They are pretty filling too! I really pack these with add-ins, but you could change just a few things if you wanted a more serious granola bar (see notes).

Ingredients

• 2c old fashion rolled oats (not quick or instant)
• 1c crispy rice cereal
• 1/2c all-purpose flour
• 1/2c whole wheat flour
• 1/2c packed brown sugar
• 1/2c wheat germ
• 1c craisins
• 1c slivered almonds
• 1c white chocolate chips
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2c butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2c honey
• 2 eggs
• canola oil for greasing

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350f and line a 9×13″ baking pan with parchment paper, rub a little oil over the paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, gently stir together the oats, flours, wheat germ, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Melt the butter in a large measuring jug, whisk in the sugar, honey, vanilla, and eggs.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and stir with a wooden spoon, until the dry ingredients are well coated. Cover and leave at room temperature for 15 minutes.
5. Stir, then fold in the rice cereal, craisins, almonds and chocolate chips.
6. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking pan, press and smooth with wet fingers until you have an even layer.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the center is lightly browned (the edges will be darker than the center).
8. Let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before transferring (parchment and all) to a wire rack.
9. Cool completely before cutting, cut into 24 squares.
10. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or wrap individually (as long as it’s airtight).

Makes 2 Dozen Squares

Notes

• Use different kinds of nuts, dried fruit or chocolate chips for this recipe.
• Half the nuts, fruit and chips.
• Leave out some of the add-ins (like the chocolate chips).
• Substitute half the butter for unsweetened applesauce.
• Replace the rice cereal with another cup of oats.