Granola and oatmeal squares

Oatmeal Chocolate Squares

1 c butter (smart balance)
1/2 c brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 c Oats
1 c chocolate chips (dark or milk)
1/2 c peanut butter

Melt butter in saucepan, add brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in oats and cook for 2 minutes. Press 1/2 of mix in an 8x8 pan. Melt chocolate chips (microwave or saucepan), mix in peanut butter with melted chips and pour over oats. Crumble remaining oats over chocolate mix. Place in fridge until firm.

Peanut Butter Granola

2 tablespoons butter or smart balance
1/3 cup natural peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins (optional) (I use semi-sweet chocolate chips)
Begin by melting the margarine and peanut butter together in a 3-quart saucepan. Add the honey, vanilla and salt. Stir the mixture until it is smooth and hot throughout. It doesn’t need to boil. Add the oats. Stir until the oats are completely coated with the sticky gooey peanut butter mixture. It will be chunky. Turn the mixture into an ungreased cookie sheet, or a large 9 by 13-inch pan. Spread the granola out evenly and bake it at 375° for 10 minutes. It will be brown and crispy. Now remove it from the oven and allow it to cool right there in the pan. Break it up into pieces after it is cooled. Transfer the granola to a clean coffee can or sealed canister. Add the raisins, if you are using them, when the granola is cool.

Honey granola

3 cups dry oatmeal
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) (smart balance)
1/2 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup each nuts and dried fruit (optional)

First melt the margarine in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the honey and salt. Honey is easiest to measure in a well oiled measuring cup. Otherwise, just scoop the last of it out of the cup with a clean finger or spoon. Heat the honey briefly with the margarine and then add the oatmeal. Stir it up nicely. It smells really good. Turn the mixture onto an ungreased cookie sheet, the kind with shallow sides; a large 9 by 13-inch pan works well too. Spread the granola out evenly and bake it at 375° for 10 minutes. It should be a toasty brown. Now remove it from the oven and allow it to cool and crisp up right there in the pan. Store it in a clean coffee can or sealed canister. Add the nuts and dried fruit, if you are using them, when the granola is cool. Serve it with milk like regular cereal, or if you are hankering for a divinely inspired treat, get a big bowl of plain yogurt, and sprinkle a large handful of granola on top of it. Mmmmmmmm, very tasty. Sliced bananas are good with this too.

Granola Bars:

1/4 cup butter (smart balance)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 medium egg
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon EACH cinnamon & baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups dry oatmeal
3 cups Crispy Rice Cereal, or other unsweetened cereals as desired, corn flakes, toasted oats, bite sized shredded wheat, corn checks etc.
1/2 cup raisins or other dried fruit

First melt the margarine or butter. In a large bowl combine tit with the honey, applesauce, brown sugar, cinnamon and egg. Mix very well. Add the flour, baking soda, salt and oatmeal. The mixture will be very thick but still moist. Now stir in the unsweetened cereal and raisins. Mix well. Press the mixture into a well oiled 9 by 13-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Cool before cutting into 24 bars.

Nice for breakfast or a snack. Yummy!

Makes 24 bars.

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 133 Calories; 3g Fat (18.8% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 25g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 9mg Cholesterol; 160mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Sunny Apricot Bars: Replace the raisins with finely chopped dried apricots. Add 1/2-cup sunflower seeds.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 147 Calories; 5g Fat (26.3% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 25g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 9mg Cholesterol; 160mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Chocolate Chip & Peanut Bars: Omit the raisins. Add 1/2-cup each semi-sweet chocolate chips and unsalted peanuts.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 158 Calories; 5g Fat (29.4% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 25g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 9mg Cholesterol; 160mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

White Chocolate & Cranberry Bars: Omit the raisins. Add 1/2 cup each white confectionery chips and dried cranberries (Craisins).
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 158 Calories; 4g Fat (23.4% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 28g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 9mg Cholesterol; 166mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.

Rocky Road Bars: Omit the raisins. Add 1/2-cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/3-cup chopped walnuts and 1-cup miniature marshmallows.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 155 Calories; 5g Fat (27.1% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 26g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 9mg Cholesterol; 161mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.