Peanut Butter and Chocolate Granola Bars

 Pic courtesy Sisters Cafe

I love when I can make something at home that I used to buy at the store. I know exactly what's going in to it and it tastes SO much better! These are no exception. Next time, I'll double them b/c they were gone so fast!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Granola Bars
from The Sisters Cafe 

2 1/2 cups oats (*can use gluten free oats)

1/2 cup rice krispy cereal (*can use gluten free rice krispy cereal)

1/4 cup coconut

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/8 cup honey

2 TB corn syrup (optional- I didn't use this)

1/2 tsp vanilla

Put butter , peanut butter, honey and corn syrup (if using) in a small saucepan over low heat until liquid.  Add remaining ingredients to a bowl.  Pour liquid from saucepan over the dry stuff and mix together until combined. Press into a square 8×8 pan.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes–I did almost 30 minutes but I did double the recipe.  Cool for 10 minutes and score into bars.

Let it set completely and then cut into bars. Enjoy!

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Pretzel Bites

photo from getoffyourbuttandbake blog

Oh wee!  So, so divine.  So, so good.  So, so easy since you just use Rhodes rolls.  I made both the cheddar dip and the cinnamon sugar ones.  Oh my goodness, so good!

PRETZEL BITES

Recipe from getoffyourbuttandbake.com

Texas size Rhodes Frozen roll dough

*as many as you like – each roll makes four bites

coarse salt, parmesan, garlic, cinnamon & sugar

Vanilla glaze (optional)

Take a thawed roll.  Cut it in four equal sections.  Place dough bites on greased sheets. I placed five across and five down on large baking sheets.  Cover with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, and let dough rise until double in size. (about 35-45 minutes) Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil.  When dough has risen, plop about 10 pieces into the boiling water, tossing gently for about 45 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon, and place bites on paper towels to drain slightly.  Move bites to greased baking sheets, and bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes or until done and golden brown. 

Brush bites with melted butter, sprinkle with Kosher or Sea Salt, garlic and toss in Parmesan cheese.  You can also make Cinnamon and Sugar bites. Make a mixture of Cinnamon and sugar:  About 1 cup sugar and 1 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon, and mix together well. After you butter the pretzel bites, toss in cinnamon and sugar mixture.

You can serve the Parmesan Pretzel bites with a cheddar dip, and the Cinnamon and Sugar Pretzel bites with Vanilla glaze.  So yummy . . . so simple!

VANILLA GLAZE

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract.

Combine sugar, milk, butter and vanilla and mix well. 

CHEDDAR DIP

1 Tablespoon butter

1 Tablespoon all purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 1/2  to 2 cups of grated Cheddar Cheese.

Melt the butter in a med. size saucepan over medium heat.  Add the flour and stir until blended, and

butter has turned lightly golden brown.  Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until thickened slightly.  Remove from heat and stir in the Cheddar Cheese until smooth and all of the cheese has melted.  Season with salt and pepper.  Shake a few red pepper flakes into sauce for added zing!

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