Quick and easy Granola Bars

I came across this recipe on laurenslatest.com for No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.  She adapted the recipe from Rachael Ray.  I thought this must be too good to be true.  Granola bars in less than 10 minutes?  Well my friends, let me tell you it is true, and they are delicious!

I added flax seeds to the recipe.  You could add all kinds of things to these like chopped nuts, sunflower seeds or dried fruit.  They are pretty healthy, and really could not be any easier.  The recipe calls for a jelly roll pan.  I used a casserole dish that I lined with a silicone mat to make it easier to remove.  You could also use parchment paper.

Quick and Easy Granola Bars
Yield 10-12 bars

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats (not rolled oats)
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/4 cup flax seed
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 T mini chocolate chips

In a large bowl, stir oats, rice cereal, and flax seeds together.  Set aside.  In a small pot, melt butter  honey and brown sugar over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble.  Reduce heat and cook 2 minutes stirring occasionally   Remove from heat, add vanilla and stir.  Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to coat evenly   Pour into a lightly greased small jelly roll pan (about 12x8x1) and press to evenly coat the bottom.  You really, really want to press it down to pack firmly.  If you do not pack it down, the bars will not stick together   Sprinkle with the mini chocolate chips and press them down lightly.  Cool at room temperature for two hours to set before cutting them into bars.  Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.