Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bars {with a chocolate drizzle!}

 

Welcome to Monday!

 

It's the start of another week and yet another snowstorm.  Like I've said, I love watching the snow come down from inside my house, I just don't love going out in it.  Nor, bundling up two kids for it.  Just thinking about that makes me sweat.

 

But what do you expect.  It's the Midwest and it snows here.  If you need me later today, I'll be off dreaming of spring....

 

Or maybe dreaming of making another batch of these granola bars.

 

They are so good!  I even cut them into thin strips like you would see a regular granola bar.  But, these....you know the ingredients.  You know what you are eating.  The only problem is that because they are so good, you have to be diligent and not eat the whole pan. 

 

One a day should be good.

 

Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bars {with a chocolate drizzle}

{Print this Recipe!}
2/3 c. honey or brown rice syrup
1/2 c. peanut butter {or any nut butter}
1 t. vanilla
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
2 c. oatmeal
2 c. crispy rice cereal
1/3 c. chocolate chips
1 T. butter

In a bowl combine oatmeal, cereal, cinnamon and salt. In another microwave safe bowl combine honey or brown rice syrup, peanut butter and vanilla. Microwave until melted and combined, but not boiling. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Immediately pour into an 8x8 sprayed baking dish. Press down with your hands until flat. Put in the freezer for 1 hour to harden. Remove from freezer, invert baking dish onto a cutting board and cut into bars.

For the drizzle: Place chocolate chips and butter in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 10 second intervals until melted and smooth. Drizzle with a spoon onto the tops of the bars, allow chocolate to cool and harden.

Store in an airtight container, where they will stay fresh for 3-4 days, or wrap with plastic wrap and freeze individually for up to 3 months.

 

So, this little kook is our daughter.  She is the ultimate show stopper, comedian, and ham.  She dresses herself up in her brother's shoes, his sunglasses {missing one lens} upside down, a stocking cap and proceeds to run marathons around the kitchen table with her stroller and baby.

 

And somehow also drool all over her sweatshirt?

 

I cannot express the amount of joy and laughter she brings to our house.  Her latest saying?  "Oh my gosh".  And she says it with such attitude.  I'm a little nervous of what she'll bring to our house when she's 14.

 

P.S.  Please don't look at my ugly kitchen cupboards or the "child-proof" strap in the background.  They are ugly, we know it.

 

Someday....