Breakfast Bars

I forget exactly where I came upon this recipe, but we've tried many variations and it has always turned out delicious!  It's not exactly a granola bar, but it's a soft, chewy, filling bar that we normally eat for snacks or breakfast.

Breakfast Bars
(ingredients listed are for a full batch, but pictured above is a half batch):

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 cups oats
• 1 cup flour (I use whole wheat)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup add-ins (chocolate chips, craisins, chopped nuts, etc.)

Directions:

In microwave safe dish, melt butter and honey together.  Add vanilla extract.  Mix oats, flour, and baking soda in large bowl.  Add liquid ingredients and stir to combine.  The mixture may seem a little bit dry, but that's just fine.  Fold in mix-ins.  Press into 13x9 pan, and bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.  Cool completely before cutting.

You can substitute peanut butter for some of the butter or honey listed above.  Combined with chocolate chips and chopped almonds, that's another one of our family favorites!