Granola Bars

This week my dd is taking on a 4H challenge.  She had one a half months to make 8 recipes from the baking book and 4 of her own choosing.  Well, she tends to be a lot like her mom and procrastinates, so this week she is baking up a storm.  Tuesday she made Sour Cream Coffe Cake.  Tonight she made granola bars.  They are so good that I couldn't help but share the recipe.  She chose to add 1/2 c mini semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough. 

In this cooking lesson she learned how to use the soften butter feature on our microwave.

Granola Bars

1 c butter, softened

1 1/4 c sugar

2 Tbsp molasses

2 c flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

3-4 c old-fashioned oats

1 tsp cinnamon

Dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, optional

Mix butter, sugar, and molasses in 2 qt mixing bowl.  Cream until fluffy.

Mix dry ingredients together in 1 qt mixing bowl.  Add to creamed mixture.  Mix completely.

Add dried fruit, chocolate chips, and nuts if you want.

Press in greased 10" x15" pan.  Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes.  Cut into bars while hot.  Store at room temperature in a air-tight container, if they last that long.  Enjoy with a cup of Stash Bengal Spice Tea.