Homemade Granola Bars

recipe: barefoot contessa

INGREDIENTS
· 2 cups old-fashioned oats
· 1 cup sliced almonds
· 1 cup organic coconut chips (unsweetened)
· 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
· 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
· 2/3 cup honey
· 1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
· 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
· 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
· 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
· 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
· 1/2 cup chopped dried papaya

DIRECTIONS
· preheat the oven to 350°. butter an 8 x 12 inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
· toss the oatmeal, almonds and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. (be careful not to burn!). transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.
· reduce the oven temperature to 300°
· place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the oatmeal mixture. add the dates, apricots, and the papaya and stir well.
· pour the mixture into the prepared pan. wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until lightly golden brown. cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares.
· serve at room temp or cut into individual portions for a quick snack or breakfast on the go.

These granola bars are chewy and crunchy at the same time. They are wholesome and full of 'good for you' ingredients. You can mix up the dried fruit portions and add your favorites. Barefoot Contessa's original recipe called for dried cranberries, but I didn't have any in the pantry, so I subbed them out for dried papaya. I ate on these bars for two weeks and will be making another batch soon! They're yummy.