Granola Bars

Now, I won't insult your intelligence by trying to convince you that these are healthy, but at least they have a lot of fiber in them! And besides - what food involving the word granola is healthy??? :-)

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted (I prefer butter in these)
2/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
3 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons ground flax
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1 cup butterscotch chips (could use chocolate, hubby doesn't like it that way)

In a medium skillet, melt the butter. Add the peanut butter and corn syrup, stir to combine (this melts the peanut butter a little and makes it easier to stir). Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine brown sugar, combine all remaining ingredients except chips; add the butter/peanut butter mixture and stir to coat. Let stand 15 minutes, then stir in the chips (this cools it off so the chips don't melt so much). Press into a greased 13x9x2 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in the pan 20 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm (leave them in the pan after you cut them because they'll still be soft and crumbly till they cool completely. Makes however many bars you cut!


The original recipe also called for sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. I've never put them in simply because I never have sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds in granola bars sounds weird to me.

Enjoy!