Granola Bars - Ina G

By mariannefeldman

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/homemade-granola-bars-recipe/index.html

Amy likes the copy by smitten kitchen:
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/09/granola-bars/

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
• 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ - I used sesame seeds instead
• 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
• 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Details

Servings 12
Preparation time 25mins
Cooking time 245mins
Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.

Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut (& sesame seeds if using)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 (if using). Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

Place the butter, honey, brown sugar and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a full minute, remove from heat & add vanilla. Pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and firmly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.