Thin Mint Granola Bars

These Thin Mint Granola Bars are easy to make and perfect for breakfast or lunch boxes. Adding crushed chocolate cookies add another dimension of flavor to these sweet homemade granola bars.  

I have a habit of buying cookies and hiding them under the cupboard.  My family is pretty used to my sugar buying, so they know that most of the "extra" food is for the crazy baking that happens in our house.

So a package of store brand Thin Mints is definitely not just for eating.  They know me a little too well for that.  The first thing my daughter asked when she saw those cookies was, "what are you putting those in?".  

She was right.  They were definitely not for eating...at least not the traditional way.  

Girl Scout cookies and treats tend to be all the rage in March.  Now I have admitted before that I actually don't buy real GS cookies that often.  (Don't hold me to that...because we do get them every once in a while.)  

This year we happened to make it through the season without spending $5 for 3 cookies.  I picked up some Keebler Grasshoppers because my mind was thinking through fun combos.

You see, I had this crazy thought.  A few weeks ago I made Cookies and Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies that were super popular.  It had me thinking up new creations with that flavor combo.  Why not do mint cookies and cream this month?

I always use the base from these Caramel Oatmeal Bars when I make homemade baked granola bars.  My kids go through granola bars like crazy, so we are always creating fun new flavors to share.

These bars come together so quickly and only take about 20 minutes to bake.  Feel free to let them cool and eat them as is.  They taste just as good that way too.

But this is me, and I have this crazy need to add more chocolate whenever I can.  So, these bars got a healthy dose of chocolate and green drizzle.  Hahaha!  

Like how I said healthy and chocolate in the same sentence?  Sorry.  That made me giggle this morning...it's the little things.

Now my mind is running with about 10 other "cookie" granola bars, so I guess it's time to bake another batch.

 More recipes using Thin Mints or Grasshopper cookies:

• Thin Mint Fudge Brownies
• Thin Mint Cupcakes
• Fudge Mint Popcorn

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Thin Mint Granola Bars

Yield: 16 granola bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes

These Thin Mint Granola Bars are easy to make and perfect for breakfast or lunch boxes. Adding crushed chocolate cookies add another dimension of flavor to these sweet homemade granola bars.  

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Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
• 2 ½ cups quick oats
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups crushed Thin Mint cookies (or Keebler Grasshoppers)
• ½ cup green candy melts
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon shortening, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat again.
3. Stir in the flour, oats, salt, and cookie crumbs until everything is mixed together. The batter will be very thick.
4. Press the mixture evenly into greased pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool. Cut into 16 bars.
5. Place the green candy melts and ½ teaspoon shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat 30 seconds and stir. Repeat. Stir until melted and creamy. Spoon into a plastic baggie with one tip cut off. Drizzle over the bars.
6. Repeat with the chocolate chips and remaining shortening. Let set. Store in a sealed container.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 400Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 185mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 2gSugar: 25gProtein: 5g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

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