Recipe: Sunflower Granola Bars

SUNFLOWER GRANOLA BARS

1 1/2 cup quick rolled oats
3/4 cup sunflower seeds, shelled, roasted and salted (with more for garnish)*
1/2 cup coconut, with more for garnish
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/3 cup margarine
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.

In bowl, stir together rolled oats, seeds, coconut, cranberries, wheat germ, whole wheat flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.

Melt margarine; stir brown sugar and honey into melted margarine; bring to a boil; remove from heat. Pour margarine mixture over rolled oats mixture; stir until well coated.

Press granola bar mixture into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with additional sunflower seeds and coconut, if desired.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until slightly browned around edges; remove from oven.

While bars are warm, press surface gently with back of spoon to flatten; score into bars with knife. Cool completely; cut and serve.

*How to Roast Sunflower Seeds (click here)

Makes 24 bars
Source: the National Sunflower Association