Sara's granola dough

1  cup dry oatmeal

2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes

½ cup peanut butter

½ cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ

½ cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

Stir all ingredient together until thoroughly combined. Let chill in refrigerator for half an hour.

Roll into balls. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Oatmeal Carmelitas

Original recipe makes 3 dozen small bars
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup melted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x9 inch square pan.
2. Combine the 1 cup flour, baking soda, oats, brown sugar, salt and melted butter. Mix to combine, mixture will be very crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes.
4. Let cool slightly then sprinkle over the crust the chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Mix the caramel ice cream topping with the 3 tablespoons of flour and drizzle over the chocolate chips. Top with the remaining oatmeal mixture. You will need to break it into small pieces to cover.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes. Let bars cool before cutting.

baked oatmeal

Baked Oatmeal - Our Best Bites
3 cups regular oats (not quick-cooking)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoons salt
2  teaspoons  cinnamon
2  teaspoons  baking powder
3/4 cup craisins, raisins, dried cherries, or other dried fruit
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted or applesauce (I used applesauce and it tasted great)
2  teaspoons  vanilla
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and craisins.  In a smaller bowl, mix together the milk, butter, vanilla, and eggs.  Add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture and whisk to combine.  Pour into a deep 9" pie plate or an 8x8" or 9x9" baking dish.  Bake for 40 minutes (mine took 30) or until the top is golden brown.  Serve immediately with a splash of warmed milk.  Serves 8.

Caramel Bars

· 32 individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped

· 5 tablespoons heavy cream

· 1 cup all-purpose flour

· 1 cup rolled oats

· 3/4 cup brown sugar

· 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

· 1/4 teaspoon salt

· 3/4 cup butter, melted

· 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

· 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt together the caramels and heavy cream, stirring occasionally until smooth.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in the melted butter until well blended. Press Half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Reserve the rest.

3. Bake the crust for 8 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove and sprinkle with chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour the caramel mixture over the top and then crumble the remaining crust mixture over everything.

4. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 12 minutes, or until the top is lightly toasted. Cut into squares while it is still warm.