I love to make Granola Bars, they are easy to make and full of good stuff. This is a basic recipe because you can put anything you want in them. HEB has a Organic Mix that has nuts & fruit, I sometimes just buy that or just put in nuts, raisins and apricots or figs. I wrap them up and put them in the freezer.
I leave out the coconut and salt out of mine.
Ingredients:
2 cups of old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
3 tablespoons unsalted butter or maybe coconut oil
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 350 deg. Butter an 8 x 12 in baking dish (I use a 9x9 square dish)
and line it with parchment paper.
Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes,stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, Transfer to a large mixing bowl, then lightly toast the wheat germ
and mix all together.
Reduce the oven to 300 deg.
Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture, add the dates, apricots and
cranberries and stir well.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool for at least 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.
Recipe is from The Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics Cook book
