I have posted some great protein granola bars that my kids love, but you can tell there is protein and that is not for eveyone!  I have experimented with several no sugar bars but none of them stick to together, without the use of dates, etc. to make them sticky!  So I have “given in” some as summer break begins and attempted a recipe that has some brown sugar.  At the end of the day, I still can use my own ingredients, make choices on organic options, etc. and KNOW where my ingredients come from.  THESE ARE A-MAZING!  You can make them your own in a zillion ways, but here is what I opted for:)

• 3 cups old fashioned oats
• 2 tablespoons oil (any kind)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 and 1/2 cups “stuff”
• Here is what I used: 1 TBSP Flax seed, 1 TBSP chia seeds, 1/2 Cup Dried Cherries, 2 TBSP coconut, 1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips
• If you want to coat the bottoms in chocolate, another 3-4 ounces of either dark melting chocolate or more chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9 X 13 pan with the oats.  Put the oats in the oven for about 15 minutes to toast.  Stir them every 5 minutes or so.
2. Line a 9 by 9 pan (or close to) with parchment paper.
3. Heat the oil in a small saucepan on the stove and one by one add your brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and the nutmeg.  Consider doing this while your oats are toasting.
4. Simmer over medium high heat,  stirring frequently to make sure the brown sugar dissolves.  Once it has dissolved, turn your burner off.
5. Place the toasted oats in a large bowl and then pour the hot liquid over them.  Stir them to coat evenly.
6. Now, stir in all your “stuff”.
7. Skip this step if you are not interested in the chocolate layer on the bottom.  If you are: Melt your chocolate in the microwave and line the waxed paper pan with the melted chocolate before step 8.
8. Pour the mixture into your lined pan and press the bars until the pan is filled and try to make them nice and flat and even.
9. These will need to set for at least an hour, but I put mine in the freezer and rushed the process along just fine.
10. When ready, remove the bars from the pan and pull off the waxed paper.
11. Cut the bars in the size and shape you like.   ENJOY!