Granola Bars

Granola  Bars ...Protein Packed!

I double this . You can use any nut or seed combination you like

old-fashioned rolled oats, 2 cups

sunflower seeds, 1/2 cup

sliced almonds, 1 cup (any nut)

wheat germ, 1/2 cup

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes 

honey, 1/4 cup

brown sugar,  1/4 cup packed

1 tsp oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt  (optional )

Optional:

6 1/2 ounces chopped dried fruit, any combination of apricots, cherries or blueberries

Directions

Line 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, coconut 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, oil, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved. It will be bubbly and light brown

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, distributing evenly and press down with a sheet of parchment paper...VERY  HARD!!

Bake for 20 minutes. 

Remove from the oven and allow to cool (About 20 min) 

Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.