Chewy Granola Bars

My husband and I are huge granola bar eaters.  They are usually our go to snack in the afternoon or a quick grab rushing out the door in the morning.  I have tried to make them in the past and for whatever reason never quite got them right.  This recipe is just what was needed.  These came out so delicious.  They are a chewy bar, which is what we like.  I do admit I goofed on these but have to say my goof worked and they tasted great!  I decided to add chocolate chips but they wound up melting into the bars. So every bite has a nice chocolate taste, what could be wrong with that?  Key is to make sure to let them cool completely before touching them.

1 cup butter

2/3 cup honey

1/2 cup granulated sugar

5 cups oats

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup almonds, roughly chopped

1 cup dried cranberries

1 Tbsp flour

pinch of kosher salt

1 cup chocolate chips

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9x13 cake pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. 

  

In a medium saucepan place butter, honey, sugar, and melt over a medium-low heat. About 3 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, cranberries, chocolate chips, flour, and salt.  Add the butter mixture folding into dry mixture until just combined. (this is where I goofed and it melted my chocolate chips....but oh so yummy).  Gently press mixture into the prepared pan.  Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes.  Transfer to wire rack to cool.  Using parchment paper overhang transfer to cutting board to cut.

*I kept my in a rubbermaid container in layers separated by parchment paper.