Recipe: HOLA Granola Bars (using oats, honey, dried fruits, nuts)

HOLA GRANOLA BARS



4 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup all-purpose flour (or 1/2 cup whole wheat flour and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
2/3 cup butter (not margarine), softened
1/4 cup honey
1 cup dried raisins, cranberries, blueberries, or apples
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, almonds, or other nuts

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an extra 3-inches on each end of the pan. Spray generously with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the dried fruit and nuts. Mix well with an electric mixer until all ingredients are incorporated.

Get your muscles ready. This stuff is thick! Stir in the fruit and nuts until they are mixed into the oatmeal dough. Scoop out dough and press evenly into a prepared baking pan.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Grab the extra foil on the ends of the pan and lift to remove the entire batch from the pan.

Cut into bars and cool another 10 minutes before removing cut bars from foil. Store in an air-tight container or wrap individual bars in plastic wrap so they're ready to go when you are!

Serving Suggestions:
Eat plain or serve with frozen yogurt or sorbet.

Makes 24 bars
Source: Batter Up Kids: Sensational Snacks by Marty Snortum and Barbara Beery