Granola in the Crock Pot

Thanks to Pinterest, I have discovered that there are a few unusual uses for my crock pot.  Yesterday, I saw this pin for granola in the crock pot and decided to give it a try.

Source: theprairiehomestead.com via Patricia on Pinterest

I used my own recipe which you can find here (but I did add the salt to the syrup).  It filled the whole crock pot.  After reading the instructions I found by following the links in the pin I was a bit overly concerned about burning it.  I left it in for 2 and a half hours and guess what?  It's chewy!  Sure it taste's delicious, but who likes chewy granola?

So here's the verdict.  My recipe needs more time in the crock.  I do think I'm inclined to try this again because it means I don't have to wash two large cookie sheets and one big bowl, none of which fit in my dishwasher and usually sit on my counter for three days before I get around to washing them.

Oh, and I did take a picture of the granola in the crock but it looked so much like the one above I didn't bother uploading it.  Just picture a cream colored crock and no holes in the spoon and then you'll see what mine looked like.

Homemade No Bake Chewy Granola Bars (almost like Quaker)

I have mentioned to several of you that I have this great recipe for chewy granola bars.  Well, I made some today just so I could share them with you.  The original recipe is found here.  They are so easy, I double the recipe.

1.  In a bowl (that can withstand some heat) mix 4 cups quick oats (not rolled) and 2 cups crispy rice.

2.  In a large sauce pan mix 1 cube butter (not pictured because I used 1/2 c. oil.  Butter tastes better but oil can be used in a pinch), 1/2 cup honey and 2/3 c. brown sugar (or 2/3 c. sugar and 2 t. molasses).

3.  Bring to a rolling boil.  Turn it down to medium heat and boil for two more minutes.

4.  Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Then pour syrup over dry ingredients and mix well until all the oats have been combined.

5.  Press into a greased cookie sheet.  Sprinkle 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips over the top and gently press in.  They are ready to eat when the chocolate has set back up.  I sometimes use the fridge to help with that because I have no patience.  But careful because the are a bit tricky to cut once they are cooled.

There you go.  A quick snack from (mostly) food storage items.