Honey Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Honey Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Makes 12 bars

2 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped

1/3 cup HONEY

1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons  mini chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom and sides of an 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

2. Add the oats and almonds to a small baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Stir and bake another 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl.

3. Combine butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts, the mixture bubbles and the sugar dissolves.

4. Pour the butter mixture into the bowl with toasted oats and almonds. Mix well. Let cool for 5 minutes.

5. Stir in the cranberries and 1/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips. Some of the chocolate chips might melt, but they help hold the bars together.

6. Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared pan and press it into the pan firmly using a rubber spatula. Press hard so that the bars will stay together once cooled and cut.

7. Scatter the remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips over the pressed granola mixture, and then use a rubber spatula to gently press them into the top.

8. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Remove the block of granola mixture from the pan and peel away the foil or parchment. Cut into 12 bars.