Scotcheroo Granola Bars

Is there any better dessert than scotcheroos?  With the crunchy Rice Krispies coated in a creamy peanut butter gooey deliciousness and then covered in chocolate, I don't know how you can beat that.  So if you are like me you could eat them pretty much everyday, but because I want to fit into my pants I decided to make a "healthier" version so I at least got in some foods I should eating and I could feed them to my children without as much guilt.  Again it's all about moderation, so these are better to be eaten as snacks, but your sweet tooth will thank you for sure.  

It has almost all the ingredients of scotcheroos, while adding some other healthier fillers like chia, oatmeal, and pecans.

So first you will actually need two jelly roll pans, I believe mine are a little bit bigger than 9x13. Place parchment on one pan, for easy removal.

 

First let's start by adding all the dry ingredients in a large bowl: granola, Rice Krispies, chopped pecans, and chia seeds.

 

Now let's start cooking.  Add the corn syrup, agave nectar, and brown sugar and being to a boil for 1 minute.

*RECIPE NOTE:  you can substitute honey, agave, and corn syrup for this recipe, making sure you still use as much liquid as the recipe calls for.  I have used all honey, all agave and I appreciate the taste combination of the agave and corn syrup the best.

 

Once the sugar mixture boils for 1minute, take off the heat, add in vanilla, peanut butter, and salt.

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until all combined. 

Pour out granola bar mixture onto parchment paper and spread across the pan with your fingers.  Mixture is sticky so I spray cooking spray on my hands so that it doesn't stick.

Now once it's all spread out, we want them compact them so they don't fall apart.  Put a piece of parchment paper over the granola bars, and then place the other jelly roll pan on top of it.  Use your muscles and push down as much as you can.

Look how delicious they look?  What could make these any better? 

Oh yea, what about chocolate!  After the granola bars have cooled for a couple minutes, pour the mini chocolate chips over the granola bars.  I then place the parchment paper over again, so that they stick and don't fall off when eating.

Cut pan into halves or thirds lengthwise, and cut 1 1/2 inch across, so they are little granola bars.

They do keep well in the freezer if you even get to that stage.  My family eats them so fast that we never get to even freeze them!!

Scotcheroo Granola Bars

 

4 c. crispy rice cereal

3 c. quick oats

1/2 c. chia seeds

1/2 c. chopped pecans

3/4 c. corn syrup

3/4 c. agave nectar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. creamy peanut butter

1/2 tsp. Kosher salt

1 c. mini chocolate chips

 

Take your jelly roll pan and line it with parchment paper, and set aside.  In a large bowl add the crispy rice cereal, oats, chia seeds, and pecans and set aside.  In a medium saucepan over medium hight heat add in the corn syrup, agave nectar, and brown sugar.  Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring and boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and add in the in the vanilla, peanut butter, and salt.  Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal mixture and stir until all combined.  Pour out the granola mixture onto the parchment paper and spread out evenly.  Now take another piece of parchment paper and place over the granola mixture.  Take another jelly roll pan about the same size and place it on top of the parchment.  Pressing down for a couple minutes to help compact the granola bars.  Remove pan and parchment, and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes until cooled slightly ( you don't want your chocolate to melt!), sprinkle chocolate chips on top and repeat with the parchment paper and pan, pressing the mixture down.  Cut bars into desired sizes and serve. 

 

 

-Cool