Granola Bars

Recipe submitted by Ranae P.

Makes 24 bars

½ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup brown sugar
½ tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
½ tsp. baking soda
1¼ cups rolled oats
¼ cup sugar
2 Tbsp. honey
1 egg
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. salt
1¼ cups crispy rice cereal
½ cup wheat germ (optional)
1 cup chocolate chips*

In a large bowl, cream sugars and butter until fluffy. Add honey, vanilla and egg. Mix well. Blend in flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Stir in remaining ingredients. Press firmly into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 350º F for 20-25 minutes. Bar will firm as they stand. Cool and cut into bars.

Save the crumbs for yogurt or ice cream topping.

*The following may be used in addition to or to replace chocolate chips: 1 cup coconut, ½ cup creamy or chunky peanut butter, ½ cup nuts, ½ -1 cup raisins, dried apples, apricots, or ½ cup fruit preserve. Chocolate crispy rice cereal can be used to replace some of regular crispy rice cereal for a more chocolate taste.