Granola Bars
 
 
Author:
Ingredients
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal (not instant)
  • ¾ cup sliced almonds, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • ½ cup toasted wheat germ
  • ⅔ cup honey
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1½ cup chopped dried fruit such as cranberries, apricots & raisins
Method
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8x10 baking dish with cooking spray and then line with parchment paper, leaving some extra paper hanging over the edges.
  2. Toss the oatmeal, almonds, walnuts and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 12 - 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.
  3. While the oatmeal mixture is toasting, gather your dried fruit and chop into small pieces (apricots).
  4. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F. Place the honey, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl and whisk together. Pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dried fruit and stir well.
  5. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Now it's time to press down the mixture. I find the best method is using a scrap piece of parchment paper and just press down on it with your entire palm. Keep pressing until the mixture is tightly packed. Don't neglect the corners.
  6. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until medium golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. (Best to use a serrated knife, gently sawing back and forth. Try not to press straight down). Serve at room temperature.
Recipe by FEASTS AND FOTOS at https://www.feastsandfotos.com/2010/03/19/granola-bars/