Healthy Breakfast Bars -- My Way!

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 8 cups old fashioned oats
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 cup raisins, do not drain (soaked till plump at least 30 minutes ~ SEE Scotch whiskey, or juice in WET INGREDIENTS below!)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts (TOASTED dry in an iron skillet)

Wet Ingredients

• 4 eggs, beaten

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin (not pie filling)
• 2 cups milk
• 3 cups brown sugar (NOT hard-packed)
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup scotch whiskey (substitute bourbon, or apple juice ~ FOR SOAKING RAISINS, ABOVE)

Directions

1. 1

   Grease two 9" x 13" Pyrex pans.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 325°F.

3. 3

   Combine scotch whiskey (or apple juice), vanilla, and RAISINS, in a microwave bowl ~ microwave for 1 minute and soak till plump (about 30 minutes) ~ do not drain!

4. 4

   Combine dry ingredients (except raisins) in large bowl, stirring well.

5. 5

   Combine remaining wet ingredients in a large bowl, or an 8 cup measure. Whisk thoroughly for a uniform, lump-free mixture.

6. 6

   Pour wet ingredients, including undrained raisins, into dry ingredients. Stir well.

7. 7

   Pour into greased pans and bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees. (Bake pans one at a time, or together side by side on the same rack ~ rotate pans after 20 minutes.).

8. 8

   Cool completely and cut each pan into 25 squares ~ I cut mine with a pizza cutter! Wrap individually in plastic wrap ~ bars stay fresh and moist for two weeks! Freeze after wrapping individually, if desired, for a once a month cooking (OAMC) breakfast adventure!

9. 9

   NOTE: Dried cranberries, cherries, apricots, dates, and/or coconut (or a combination) can be substituted for the raisins to make a different bar.