The BEST Granola Bars EVER!

I came across this recipe in the New York Times but after making it a few times I wanted to modify the recipe some. Here is the end result! This never disappoints at my home!  This has to be one of my favorite treats! Sure hope you enjoy it too!

• 1 stick Butter (1/2 cup)
• 6 - 6 1/2 cups Rolled Oats
• 1 1/2 cups Flaxseed Meal
• 1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Agave Syrup
• 6 Tbs. Coconut Sugar
• 3 tsp. Vanilla
• 1 bag Dark Chocolate ((60% plus Cacao)
• If Chocolate bothers you, could also use any mix in you'd prefer.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Butter 9x9 baking pan. Bakes for 20 minutes.

Melt Butter in large pot on Medium Heat, then add the Rolled Oats, allowing the Oats to get nice and toasty; be sure to stir regularly so Oats do not burn. Toast Oats for about 5-7 minutes. Remove mixture and place in a large bowl then add Flaxseed Meal, Cinnamon, and Salt and stir.

Using the same pot you used to toast the Oats; add the Agave, Coconut Sugar, and Vanilla. Allow the mixture to boil for 3-5 minutes. Being careful not to burn. (This has happened to me! I usually don't allow it to boil much longer than 3 minutes) Take pot off the stove and pour over the Oatmeal mixture in bowl, Stir well to combine. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes then mix in Chocolate Chips or any other mix in you'd prefer.

or if you can find these Grain Sweetened Chocolate Chips, I feel a lot better when I eat these versus the 60% Dark Chocolate. However, I've had a harder time finding the Grain Sweetened Chocolate Chips lately at my local health food stores. If interested, I noticed you can buy them through Amazon.

Finally, scrape mixture out onto a 9x13 pan and bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes. Allow Granola Bars to cool before eating (if you can wait that long ;-) ).  The bars will set up as they cool.

-Jessie