Homemade Granola Bars (health Or Energy Bars)

Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup flax seed
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1 cup almonds, sliced (or other chopped nuts like cashews, walnuts, peanuts, macadamias or pecans)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon sea salt or 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup honey
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup dried cranberries (or other chopped dried fruit like raisins, pineapple, apricots, cherries, papaya, prunes, or c)

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 325. line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. combine the oats, wheat germ, flax seeds, sesame seeds and almonds; spread out evenly on the rimmed baking sheet and toast for approximately 10 to 15 minutes until golden, stirring occasionally and watching carefully so as not to burn.
• 2 in the meantime, in a large bowl combine salt, coconut, cinnamon and dried cranberries; set aside.
• 3 in a large measuring cup place the vanilla, honey, butter and brown sugar. microwave approximately 2 minutes. mixture will foam and bubble. stir to completely dissolve brown sugar.
• 4 when oat mixture is done toasting, transfer to the same bowl with coconut mixture and stir to evenly combine. add the honey mixture and stir to incorporate.
• 5 line a 9” x 13” baking pan with waxed paper. spread the mixture, using the back of a wooden spoon, pressing to create a smooth, even surface. place another piece of waxed paper over the top, pressing down to evenly compact the mixture. compacting is important so the bars won’t fall apart when cut. (suggestion: place one pan of same size within the other and press to even out mixture.).
• 6 refrigerate and completely cool the mixture about 2 hours to assure a clean cut. firmly press down with a large knife to cut into bars. do not saw. wrap bars in waxed paper and store in refrigerator or freezer.