Recipe: Granola Energy Bars

GRANOLA ENERGY BARS

4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skin removed, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup oat bran
1/4 cup crystallized ginger, minced
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons ginger, ground
1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (7oz) assorted dried fruit, diced
1 cup corn syrup
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar

Mix oats, hazelnuts, wheat germ, oat bran and crystal ginger in large bowl; set aside.

Whisk orange juice, sugar, oil, ground ginger, cinnamon and salt until blended. Pour over oat mixture. Mix until blended.

Spread orange-oat mixture on greased 15 1/2x10 1/2x1-inch jelly roll pan.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden.

Place in large bowl and stir in dried fruit until blended; cool.

Microwave corn syrup, brown sugar and sugar in medium glass bowl on high for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened. Do not stir. Pour over granola mixture and mix until blended. Spoon into 9-inch square pan. Set aside until firm and completely dried. Cut into bars.

Makes 18 servings
Source: The Hazelnut Council