Grab and Go Granola Bars

3 tablespoons butter, plus more for the pan

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

¼ cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats

¼ cup chocolate chips

Butter an 8-inch square baking pan and set it aside.

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, honey and vanilla extract. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat.

Pour the oats into the pot. Stir very well for 5 minutes.

Spread the oat mixture into the pan. Press it into the pan with your hands to make it even (you may need to rub a little butter on your palms so they don't stick to the bars). Press hard!

Press the chocolate chips into the top of the bars. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled (about 1 hour).

Bring to room temperature, then ask an adult to help you cut it into 12 bars with a sharp knife. Wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or waxed paper. (If you store them in the fridge, they'll stay fresh all week long.) Decorate with personalized labels.

Serves 12.

Cook's notes: You can substitute ¼ cup of any of these mix-ins for the chocolate chips: raisins, shredded dried coconut, dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, mini M&Ms, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, puffed rice cereal. Or try a combo with several of these mix-ins or any others that catch your fancy.

"Cooking Class" by Deanna Cook (2015 Storey Publishing)