Feel Good Hearty Granola Bars Recipe 455

Steps:

• Butter a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish 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 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.
• Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. Immediately add the oat mixture to the liquid mixture, add the dried fruit, and stir to combine. Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter or oil 9x13 inch baking dish. Mix all ingredients. If using fruit, stir in now. If using chips, put in bottom of baking dish. Press mixture in dish (if using chips, press on top of chips). Bake 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Don't overbake or bars will get crispy. Let cool for a few minutes, then press mixture down again, using a spatula. This will make it easier to cut into squares or bars. Cut while still slightly warm. I made the mistake of putting them in the refrigerator and then trying to cut them, and it was extremely difficult! Let bars cool completely in pan before removing. Makes 2-3 dozen.