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Chocolate Granola Clusters

This old-time recipe makes a great primer for young holiday-cookie makers, since there's no baking involved. Instead, the chocolate coating is simmered on the stovetop and then stirred into the granola to create melt-in-your-mouth morsels.

Ingredients

2 cups granola
1/4 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
yogurt-covered raisins or peanuts

Instructions

Have your child measure the granola into a large mixing bowl and then break up any clusters into small pieces with his/her fingers.
Line a large baking sheet with waxed paper.
Warm the milk and butter in a medium saucepan over moderate heat.
When the butter is mostly melted, use a long-handled wooden spoon to stir in the sugar and chocolate chips.
Continue to carefully stir the mixture until it comes to a boil, then quickly reduce the heat and cook the sauce at a low boil for 1 minute.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
Immediately pour the sauce over the granola and stir well.
Scoop mounded tablespoons of the mixture onto the lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Gently press a yogurt-covered raisin or peanut into each mound.
Once the cookies have cooled completely, cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate them for at least 3 hours before serving. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.