chewy chocolate chip granola bars

yields approximately 36 bars

ingredients

1 cup dark brown sugar
2 cups organic brown rice syrup
2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
4 cups organic old fashioned rolled oats (not thick*)
4 cups organic crispy brown rice cereal(Erewhon or Barbara’s)
1/2 cup organic ground flaxseed
1 tablespoon good quality vanilla
2/3 cup + 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
nonstick cooking spray

directions

Spray a 12 X 17 rimmed baking sheet with non stick spray and set aside.  Combine the brown sugar and rice syrup in a medium bowl.  Microwave on high for 2 – 1/2 minutes.  Stir.  Microwave for 2 – 1/2 more minutes.  Add the vanilla and stir until blended. 

In a large bowl, mix together the coconut, oats, rice cereal and flaxseed.  Add the rice syrup mixture to the dry ingredients.  Stir until combined.  Add 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips.  Stir to incorporate. 

Transfer the granola mixture to the prepared baking sheet.  Place a piece of waxed paper over the top and press the mixture firmly and evenly into the baking sheet.

Evenly sprinkle 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips over mixture, pressing to adhere chips to bars.   Let firm for about one hour.  Cut into 1-1/4” x 3” bars.  Wrap bars individually in waxed paper and store in an airtight container.  Or just make one giant granola bar and call it a day.

*Thick oats do not work in this recipe.  I once used them by mistake and learned the hard way. The thick oats do not absorb enough moisture; resulting in granola bars with a chalky, raw oat texture.