Granola Bars
(Makes 12 to 16 granola bars)
2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)1/2 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed (I used unsweetened)
1/2 cup wheat germ
2/3 cup honey
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cup dried fruit, or a mix of dried fruit (I used chopped apricots and raisins)
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 8x12 or 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper.
Toss the oatmeal, nuts, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F.
While the mixture is still warm, stir in the honey, oil, vanilla, salt, cloves and cinnamon until the mixture is well coated, then the dried fruit. Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish and press it down with a wooden spoon or spatula until the mixture is packed as tightly as possible.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares.
You can store these in an airtight container at room temperature for a week or two, as you would cookies. If you prefer a crisper granola bar, store in the freezer.
