I had these granola bars from a hiking partner named Ruth. They are a great hiking treat packed with nutty protein and that hit of sugar you (I) sometimes crave on a hike and easy to make.

Yield: 16-18 bars

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup peanut butter
3/4 Tablespoon vanilla
1 cup dark brown sugar - light doesn't work
1/2 cup corn syrup or honey (maple syrup does not work!!!)
1 1/2 cups oats (I use large flake oats)
1 1/2 cups rice krispies
1/2 cup toasted coconut
1 1/2 cup fillings (sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, slivered almonds, dried fruit)
1 cup chocolate chip

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and line 9x13 pan or a 9x9 pan with parchment paper (the size of the pan depends on if you want thin or thick bars).

   Hint: if you crumple and soak the parchment paper it will conform to your pan really well.

2. In a saucepan combine butter, peanut butter, vanilla, brown sugar and corn syrup and bring to the low boil.
3. In a large bowl mix oats, rice krispies, coconut and your chosen fillings, you may include the chocolate here or reserve to sprinkling on top.
4. Pour hot peanut butter mixture into the oats and stir well to combine. It won't look like enough liquid but it is, I promise!

6. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan.
7. Press the remaining granola bar mixture into the pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.
8. Bake for 25 -30 minutes or until golden along the edges, then allow to cool for approximately 1 hour.
9. Lift the parchment and granola bar out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Cut into bars and wrap. These will remain slightly chewy which makes them fantastic!

Here is a "How to video" I made for my class

• How to make homemade granola bars