Chewy Granola Bars

I've been searching and working to perfect a granola bar recipe that is chewy and healthy all at the same time. I have made so many batches I think my family might be tired of my failed granola bar recipes. But alas, I have finally created one that I'm happy with.

4 c oats
2/3 c brown sugar
1/2 c honey
4 tbsp butter
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt

Toast the oats on a cookie sheet @ 400 degrees (for about 10 min.) while mixing together the remaining ingredients in a sauce pan. Heat over medium heat till bubbly and thin. Butter a 9x13 glass pan. Remove oats from oven and pour into a mixing bowl. Pour honey mixture over the oats and mix well till all the oats are coated. Pour into the 9x13 and cover with wax paper or parchment paper. Use a spatula or the back of a measuring cup to press the mixture down and spread it evenly. Let cool for 2-3 hours until there is no warmth to the pan. Remove the bars carefully by inverting the pan onto a cutting board. Cut the bars with a butcher knife and either wrap individually or store between layers of wax paper in an air tight container.

If you'd like to add some mix-ins you can do so the following way:

Chocolate Chip - add 1/2 cup of mini chips to the above recipe. Add the chips when mixing the oats and honey together.

Peanut - add 1 cup of crushed peanuts and use only 3 cups of oats. Toast the peanuts with the oats.

Oatmeal Raisins - add 1/2 cup of raisins to the above recipe and 1 tsp cinnamon when mixing the oats and honey together.

Health Nut - add 3/4 c wheat germ, 3/4 c sunflower seeds, 1 cup of crushed peanuts, reduce oats to 2 cups and toast with the oats and then add 8oz. dried fruit when mixing the oats and honey together.

Fruity - add 1 cup dried fruit to the above recipe when mixing the oats and honey together.