Granola Bars
Servings: 16 average size granola bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup shredded coconut loosely packed
- 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 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 cup rough chopped dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried wild blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan 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. Don’t burn it! Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ. Reduce 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 fruit and mix well.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Dampen your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan into the thickness and shape you want. (I like half inch deep.) Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 3 hours at room temperature before cutting into squares with a sharp, sharp knife. (I like to let it sit for about 5-6 hours.) Store in an airtight container with parchment in between the layers. Serve at room temperature.
Notes
These stay fresh for at least a week in a good container, such as a glass pyrex dish with a cover.