How to Make Dried Fruit Granola Bars

This is a quick and easy recipe for dried fruit granola bars. They are easy to make and healthier than the store bought dried fruit granola bars. You can store these covered for up to one week.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup almond slices
• 1 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 ounce butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups dried fruit chopped( you can use dried cranberries, apricots, dried cherries, and raisins

1. Put a piece of parchment paper in the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking dish. Butter the side.

2. Roast the almonds, sunflower seeds, rolled oats and wheat germ in a 350 degree oven for fifteen minutes. Stop and stir every five minutes.

3. Combine the honey, butter vanilla extract, and brown sugar in a sauce over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has dissolved. This is the glue that will bind all the ingredients together.

4. In a glass or stainless steal mixing bowl combine the roasted nuts, dried fruits and the brown sugar and honey mixture. Mix until all the ingredients are coated with the sugar mixture.

5. Pour the mixture out into the 9x9 baking dish with the parchment paper on the bottom.

6. Bake on 300 degrees for 25 minutes. Once finished allow the bars to cool completely, at least 3 hours before cutting. Once ready to cut run a knife along the outside of the pan and turn the pan over a cutting board. Cut in 2 inch squares. This will keep for one week covered tightly.