{blueberry & more} Granola Bars

I love homemade granola bars. I feel like there's a lot of mysterious crap that goes into processed granola bars these days and by making it at home, you eliminate those mysterious ingredients.

Cathy's Granola Bars, adapted from this recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsweetened puffed rice crispies
• 1/2 cup toasted almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup dried blueberries, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate (or any chocolate that you prefer!), coarsely chopped

Directions

• 1. Position a rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 300°F. Line an 8-inch-square pan with parchment paper, letting it overhang on two opposite sides.
•  
• 2. Toss rice crispies, toasted almonds, oats,  and dried berries in a large bowl.
•  
• 3. Combine honey, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring, until the honey is more fluid and the salt is dissolved. Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and fold until everything is moistened and sticky. Let cool for 5 minutes. Fold in chopped chocolate until evenly distributed. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a fork. Using the back of the fork, press the mixture very firmly all over. (Alternatively, cover with parchment paper and press firmly all over.)
•  
• 4. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 35 minutes. (If in doubt, take it out so the honey does not burn.) Run a knife along the unlined sides of the pan to detach the bars. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack to room temperature, about 1 hour. Use the ends of the parchment to lift the bars from the pan. Gently peel off the parchment. Use a heavy sharp knife to cut into approximately 16 bars or squares.
•  
• To Make Ahead: Store airtight for up to 1 week. | Equipment: parchment paper

{The first batch I made, I realized how important it is to let them cool down for at least 1 hour...hence, the bolded part above - - otherwise, you'll end up with crumbly granola non-bars}

Enjoy! Let me know what you think! :)