Homemade Granola Bars

I love granola bars, but I get tired of eating the processed ones from the store. I like knowing that there are no chemicals an preservatives in what I eat. Ina Garten was making these granola bars on the Food Network over the weekend. They are so delicious and easy and would make a great pre-workout snack. I think that you could make several batches and store them in the fridge. You could also change up the recipe to include several different fruit and nuts. Chocolate chips would also make a nice addition. Of course anything is better with chocolate, right?

Source: Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics

Serves: 12 to 16

Ingredients:

2 c old fashioned oats
1 c sliced almonds
1 c shredded coconut, loosely packed
1/2 c toasted wheat germ ( I used flax seed)
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2/3 c honey
1/4 c light brown sugar, lightly packed ( I used dark brown sugar)
1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c pitted dates (I omitted because I didn't have them)
1/2 c chopped dried apricots ( I didn't have these either so I substituted raisins)
1/2 c dried cranberries

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8x12" baking dish and line it with parchment paper.

Toss the oatmeal, almonds and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the wheat germ.

Reduce the oven temp to 300 degrees F.

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 dried fruit 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 -30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.