Holy Granoly!

These granola bars are soft and chewy and the recipe offers a good base to try out different flavors.

Here is the original recipe from Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 4 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts 
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 3/4 cup orange marmalade

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar and salt. Stir in remaining ingredients. Press into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 425° for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.

Nutritional Facts1 serving (1 each) equals 182 calories, 10 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 12 mg cholesterol, 141 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.

Originally published as Oatmeal Breakfast Bars in Quick Cooking January/February 2002, p15

Here are some of things we've tried to mix it up a little.

3/4ths cup of dried cranberries and a little cinnamon for a Christmas-y flavor.

Peanuts instead of walnuts, raspberry jam instead of marmalade and a healthy dose of mini chocolate chips.  

Here is what we will try next.

Apple chunks, honey, and cinnamon.

Dried blueberries, and maple syrup.

Dried blueberries and lemon curd.

Apricot and butterscotch.

If they come out too hard for your tastes, all is not lost...just crumble it and you've got yourself some tasty regular granola.