Soft Granola Bars

When Aaron and I got engaged, the orchestra teachers with whom we taught gave us a recipe wedding shower. We still use the recipe card holder, and several of the recipes we received that night have become our favorite. One of the moms (who has four great kids) gave us a recipe for soft granola bars that we LOVE! Thanks, Julie, you didn't know the impact your recipe and life would have on two young kids who were getting married.

Soft Granola Bars

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

2 cups regular oats

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup raisins (we also like craisins)

1 cup chopped nuts

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease jelly roll pan, 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch. Mix brown sugar, oil and eggs in large bowl with spoon until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread in pan with spatula, patting evenly with hand. Bake just until center is set, but not firm, 17-20 minutes; cool 15 minutes. Drizzle with Honey Glaze; cool completely. Cut into bars.

Honey Glaze

1/4 cup honey

2 Tbsp margerine

Heat in saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until margerine is melted.

Today, I had a great helper in the kitchen. Thanks to some grandparents, we now have ground cinnamon and cloves and pecans (all essentials in the Choate kitchen)! So we decided that these granola bars were the perfect way to combine some of our favorite ingredients.