Peanut Butter Pretzel Granola Bars

These granola bars from Two Peas & Their Pod are easy to make and even easier to eat. I know I said the Nonesuch Granola Bars were my favorite homemade granola bars, but then these came along. I'm not sure they top the Nonesuch ones, but they're very close. (For my husband, they surpassed the Nonesuch bars.)

And we ate them all before we took any pictures. Guess that means we'll have to make them again. Oh, darn.

(Give me time, though, to post a picture because I have two other variations of granola bars to try first ... patience is a virtue my friends.)

Peanut Butter Pretzel Granola Bars

2 Tbsp. butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
3/4 cup chopped pretzels
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Cut out an 8 x 8-inch square of parchment paper. Place the parchment paper in the bottom of an 8 x 8-inch baking pan. In a large sauce pan, add butter, brown sugar, honey and peanut butter. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture starts to bubble. Once bubbling, cook for 2 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla extract.

Stir in the oats, crispy cereal, and pretzels until well coated. Pour into the prepared pan. Press the mixture evenly into the pan. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the top, and gently press into the granola bars with your hands.

Place the bars in the refrigerator, and let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Cut into 10 bars. Store the bars in the refrigerator to maintain freshness longer. Makes 10 bars.