No Bake Granola Bars

I love making these, and my kids love eating them.

No Bake Granola Bars

2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)

2 cups quick-cooking oats

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk chocolate or semi-sweet mini M&M’s

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; set aside. Bring brown sugar and syrup to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until blended. Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until coated; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in mini M&M’s quickly before they begin to melt. Press mixture into 13- x 9-inch pan; cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.