Candy Corn Granola Squares

Candy Corn Granola Squares are a chewy bar cookie filled with peanut butter, mini chocolate chips, and plenty of candy corn.  This no-bake treat is surprisingly hearty, and comes together in a matter of minutes.

Last weekend, I had illusions of making Candy Corn Magic Bars.  I had seen several variations of Candy Corn Magic Bars from fellow bloggers, and they all looked delicious.  I was itching to put my own spin on it. Although I've never made magic bars, they have a reputation for being a no-fuss, foolproof dessert.  How hard could it be?

Guess what?  I somehow found a way to mess up magic bars.  Twice.  Yes, that's right.  I made not one, but TWO batches of Candy Corn Magic Bars that were profoundly...unmagical.

I decided to give up on the magic bars for this year.  Clearly, it just wasn't meant to be.  Maybe I'll try again next October.  But still, I was determined to incorporate candy corn into a bar cookie of some sort.

Then I saw this recipe for Halloween Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars posted by Pamela at Brooklyn Farm Girl.  Her granola bars looked fantastic, and I had a feeling this recipe could be easily adapted to include candy corn.  I tweaked the recipe a bit and was so pleased with the results.  Old-fashioned oats and crisped rice cereal are coated in a gooey, bubbling mixture of butter, honey, and brown sugar.  And some peanut butter, of course.  Add in a handful of miniature chocolate chips and candy corn, and you have the makings of a hearty granola square.  Eureka!

And this recipe truly is foolproof.  It's so foolproof that I made it at 5:15 on a weekday morning, before I'd had my morning cup of coffee.  And it still turned out delicious.  That's how you know it's easy.

(click here for printable recipe)

Candy Corn Granola Squares
(adapted from this recipe from Brooklyn Farm Girl)

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup crisped rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
• 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla 
• 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips, divided
• 1/2 cup candy corn

Instructions

1. Spray an 8"x8" baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.  Mix oats and crisped rice cereal in a large bowl.  Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, heat butter, brown sugar, honey, and peanut butter over medium heat.  Once the mixture has boiled, reduce heat to low and continue to simmer for 2 more minutes.  Stir constantly to prevent mixture from burning. Remove from heat and add in vanilla.  

3. Pour peanut butter mixture over oats and crisped rice.  Stir with a rubber spatula, being certain that mixture is coated evenly.  Add in 1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips, and mix well.  Chocolate chips will melt.  Stir in candy corn.  

4. Pour mixture into prepared pan.  Use back of spatula to press mixture into an even layer.  Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup of miniature chocolate chips over the oat mixture, and press down firmly. 

5. Chill for approximately 1 hour in refrigerator.  Cut into squares and enjoy

Notes: Granola squares can be stored at room temperature.  However, they will keep their shape best if stored in the refrigerator.  

Yield: 16 squares

(click here for printable recipe)

Happy Wednesday, friends!  Hope you're having a "boo"-tiful week thus far. (sorry...couldn't help myself!)