Chewy Espresso Granola Bars

This recipe can be customized in so many ways.
Play around with your favorite add ins to see what you like best!
They are very chewy and just the right sweetness. 

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups quick cook oats
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon coffee extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped chocolate espresso beans

Also needed:
9 x 13 lightly greased pan
Spatula or wooden spoon
A large bowl
Knife

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Mix everything in a large bowl.
Press the mixture into the pan.
Bake for 18 to 21 minutes, or until golden.
Press down slightly again to prevent crumbling.
Let cool about 15 minutes and cut in the pan.
Leave in the pan to cool completely. 

Comments

[kevshouse]

Yummy recipe, just one question though. When you say 325 degrees to what sort of degrees do you refer? I tried pointing my oven North West, which just messed up the feng shui of my kitchen and preheating the oven to 325 Celsius nearly melted my lead baking tray.
The raw ingredients taste great though, can't wait to try the cooked version which I think will make a great lunch pack addition.
Thank you for posting such a nice recipe.

[gracefulstumbles]

I, myself, thought you were hilarious.

[gracefulstumbles]

I ,myself, thought you was hilarious.

[turbobug]

Part to the problem is to due to the fact that degree symbol is only available to pro members.

[Milani]

dear kevshouse
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees (Fahrenheit ) = 160 C

in this site they use the fahrenheit tempreture more than the celsius

you should take this in consedration

1 Q, what your feng shui with pointing your oven north west got to do with baking ???

[kevshouse]

I could say oops I forgot that instructables is a United States site and part of the minority of the world that prefers a local rather than an international standard, however that would be childish, my point was intended as a light hearted way to remind us that it is important to be specific about the type of unit. Use whatever standard you like as long as it is clear what is meant, bad things can happen if assumptions are made (look up the Mars Climate Orbiter for a good example).

Also feng shui has nothing to do with anything in reality (unless you believe in magic), just a great way to get people to spend money on things other than nice cookies such as the above.

Now to get on with the business of baking cookies, it's time I threw out that lead baking tray anyhow.

[OT4]

Lol

[JellyWoo]

http://bit.ly/MWkKiR

[rattyrain]

Ha.

[sc7923a]

Did you find these gave you an energy boost at all, from the trace amount of caffeine in the espresso beans? I'm not a coffee-drinking individual, but do enjoy coffee-falvored things, and it seems to me this could be a great way to start the day, especially if you get a little energy boost!

[lhaon]

Yummy. i have a sack of Oats and was just thinking- should I make snack mix or granola bars? Bars it is!

[makemesomecookies]

Your bars sound wonderful! I have tried making granola bars a couple of times recently, but the bars turn into loose granola! Hope I have luck with this recipe.

Thanks for the recipe.

[L0l4]

Seems great! Do you know how many kcal one bar is? or the entire mix and then I would just split the number into how many bars I made...

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Awesome! I've never seen how to make a granola bar before! Thanks for sharing.

[scoochmaroo]

Oh yum.