Granola on a Stick

These granola bars can be cut into bars or molded onto "sticks" like I have done. Either way they are the perfect snack for your family's camping or hiking trip. They're a great accompaniment for a bonfire and a ghost story!

**Note** - Unless you have access to an oven while camping (in an RV or elsewhere) you will want to prepare these treats at home ahead of time.

What You Need:

1/2 C. Light Corn Syrup
1 C. Brown Sugar
1/2 C. Butter, Melted
2 Tsp Vanilla
3 C. Quick Cooking Oats
1 1/2 C. Fruit, Seed & Nut Trail Mix
3/4 Mini Chocolate Chips
Large Pretzel Rods

Additions might be: shredded coconut, M&Ms, marshmallows, etc

 What You Do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl mix corn syrup, brown sugar, butter and vanilla until well blended. Stir in oats. Add trail mix and chocolate chips. Stir in additional goodies 1/4 C. at a time, making sure that the mix is still sticky enough to mold around the sticks. Marshmallows are not recommended for the granola sticks but may be added if you are going to cut the granola into bars.

To Make Granola Sticks:

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Measure out 1/2 C. of granola and shape into a log. Starting from the bottom of the log, stick the pretzel into the granola, shaping it around the pretzel. Do not worry about the shape because you will be reshaping it after it bakes. Fill the baking sheet side by side with 5 granola pretzel rods. Make sure you leave ample room between each one. Bake for 14-15 minutes or until light brown. Do not panic when you see that the granola has melted away from the pretzel rod. Once the sticks have baked for the required time, removed the tray from the oven and working quickly with two knives simply mold and shape the granola back around the pretzel sticks. As the granola cools, it will harden around the pretzel stick.

This recipe makes about 10 granola sticks depending on how much granola mix you measure out for each pretzel rod.

 To Make Bars:

Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish. Firmly press granola mixture into the pan. Bake for 15 - 18 minutes or until golden brown. It is very important to allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them with a sharp knife.