Styleberry Granola Bars

One of my favorite blogs posted a granola bar recipe recently so I though I would share! These are great! They make a bunch of bars and you know exactly what is in them! I remember when I started eating "clean" I was so frustrated that so many granola bars that advertise themselves to be "healthy" were full of junk that I didn't want. These bars are easy to make and while their "form" isn't that of a store bough bar, they don't fall apart terribly like others I have tried. Okay so here it is...

Ingredients

• 4 cups old-fashioned oats
• 2 cups sliced almonds
• 2-3 cups raw nuts (sunflower seeds, pepitas, pistachios, walnut pieces etc) I used pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. 
• 1-2 cup raw shredded coconut
• 1 cup wheat germ 
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup honey
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 tb pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup chopped dried fruit (pitted dates, dried apricots, cherries and/or cranberries) I used cherries
• CHIA SEEDS! My new favorite, if you don't have them, no biggie but they are SO healthy. Just add a couple spoon fulls to the mixture for added health.

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• Toss the oats, nuts, wheat germ and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. 
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
• Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over low-medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour in the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dried fruit and stir well.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dishes. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan, or use more parchment paper to press it down.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. (If it’s not cooked enough, they will crumble and break).
• Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Enjoy!