Oatmeal Rasin Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 1 1/2 cups raisins
• 1/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the oats and bake for 15 minutes until the oats are toasted and fragrant.
3. Pour the toasted oats into a large heatproof bowl and add the raisins.
4. In a small saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, salt, butter and vanilla bean paste. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool for about 15 minutes.
5. Pour the honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir to combine. A wooden spoon works best for this. If using chocolate chips, add half of them and fold them in.
6. Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving excess on 2 sides to use as handles to remove the granola mixture later. Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish. You can use a silicone spatula or your hands to press it down.
7. Add the remaining chocolate chip, if using, and press them down to set. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
8. Lift the granola block from the dish, using the excess parchment paper. Cut the block into bars and enjoy.

*Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

*If these are not being eaten immediately, you will want to return any extras to the fridge. Once these get to room temperature, they can get loose and stick together if touching. If stacked, they will turn into a blob of granola.

*You can send these as snacks with your kids to school, or take them to work for you.

Makes about 15 bars