Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Photo Courtesy of Sally's Baking Addiction

Ingredients

2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal

1 cup roasted unsalted peanuts

1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed

1/2 cup toasted wheat germ

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

2/3 cup honey

1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup natural peanut butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Toss the oatmeal and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.  Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.  Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute.  Remove from the heat and stir in the peanut butter.  Then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture.  Mix and then stir in the peanuts.  Let the mixture cool enough that you can add the chocolate chips without them melting too much and then stir them in.  Pour the mixture into a prepared 8x12 inch baking pan that’s been coated with nonstick spray. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.