Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes in pan

Grade: A+

Make Again: Yes

Recipe Source: Everyday Food (Sept 2004)


NOTES:
~ The original recipe in the magazine called for 1/2 c. oatmeal, 1/2 cup almonds and 1/2 c. dried fruit, so you can put in whatever you want into these. I prefer just using oatmeal because I am not a big dried fruit fan.

~ I usually double this recipe and bake in a 9x13 pan. These bars freeze really well, so they will last a long time. They also last at least a week just in an airtight container.

PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA BARS

1. Preheat oven to 300.

2. Line an 8" square pan with 2 criss-crossed rectangle of foil, leaving an overhang at end (so you can use to pull bars out when done.)

3. In a saucepan over lower heat, whisk together:

1/2 c. Natural Peanut Butter
1/2 c. Brown Sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
3 T. Vegetable oil (I usually use 1 T., because the PB I use is very runny)
1 T. Water

Continue whisking occasionally till sugar dissolves - about 5 minutes. (I don't think I usually last that long.) Cool mixture slightly before next step (or you will get scrambled eggs.)

4. Whisk in quickly
1 egg white

5. Stir in
1 c. old fashioned oatmeal

6. Spread evenly into pan and bake until top is firm, about 30 minutes. You can cook a little longer to get less chewy granola bars.

7. Let cool 10 minutes in pan, then lift out of pan using foil handles. Cool completely, then cut.