Simple Oatmeal Granola Bars [gluten-free!]

My boyfriend’s mom, knowing my love of cookbooks, gave me a copy of The Fannie Farmer Baking Book.  I love Fannie Farmer’s ‘old-timey’ New England style recipes.  This recipe caught my eye because it’s super simple (ok, ok, it was in the kid’s section…); it’s made in one pot, and takes all of 5 minutes to throw together and then 20 minutes in the oven.

These taste just like granola bars, which surprised me.  Fannie Farmer calls them Oatmeal Butterscotch Bars, so I was expecting a more ‘butterscotch-y’ taste, but the oats are what really come through.  They are really good and now that I think of them like granola bars, I will add more granola-like ingredients to them next time.  Some ideas I have are cinnamon, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and chopped almonds.  I’m not sure what amounts I would use, but if you come up with any good combinations, post them in the comments. I also thought of substituting the sugar with agave nectar or coconut sugar. I will let you know if I try that.  There are so many possibilities!

Oatmeal Granola Bars (makes 10)

8 tablespoons vegan butter substitute
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups uncooked oatmeal (not instant)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Line an 8×8 square pan with foil or parchment paper (parchment is probably best if you have it). [**I used an 8″ round cake pan because I couldn’t find my square one.  Worked fine, just didn’t have all square bars :)]
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and sugar together and simmer for 30 seconds.
3. Add the vanilla, oatmeal, baking powder, and salt and stir until completely combined.
4. Pour into the prepared baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes and then cut into bars.