Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips, nuts, fruits, or candy pieces (whatever you prefer)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter or margarine, honey and brown sugar. Stir in the assorted chocolate chips, raisins, nuts etc.
3. Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

So this recipe might not be the lowest in calories, but it's got to be better than all the preservatives you find in store granola bars.  Those things have a shelf life of almost forever it seems.  One way to cut down on the calories of this is to use less butter and sugar.  The original recipe called for 2/3 c. butter and 1/2 c honey and 1/3 c. brown sugar.  After reading some reviews of the recipe, a lot of people said it was too dry.  A lot of people added more honey and butter and i decided to try it.  My defense is, is that honey is better than regular sugar, I added less chocolate chips (the original said 2 cups!) and I used a light butter.  But I think next time I may try using applesauce instead of butter, that will cut the calories in almost half I think.  As I made it, it is 3-4 points per bar, depending on how big you cut them.  I cut it so I had 24, so they were 3 points each.  Another thing to change would be instead of chocolate ships in side, melt some and drizzle over the top.  These would also be superb without any chocolate, but I have a major addiction to chocolate.