Good Eats Granola Bars

Submitted by Janene Cook

2 Cups old Fashioned Oats

1/2 Cup raw sunflower seeds

1 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 once unsalted butter

nonstick cooking spray

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 ounces dried apricots, chopped

2 ounces dried cherries, chopped

2 1/2 ounces dried blueberries, chopped, (or any combination of 6.5 ounces of dried fruit)

Directions: Spray a 9x9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds and wheat germ onto a half sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast for 15 min., stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.

Remove the oat mixture from the oven after 15min and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. Immediatly add the oat mixture to the liquid mixture.

Add the dried fruit to the mixture, stir until just combined.

Place the mixture into the baking pan and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven after 25 minutes and allow to cool completely. Cut into 16 squares.

Store in an airtight container and it can keep for up to a week.

hint: don't eat to many at one time....really good for the digestive system!

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