Granola Bars

SteffesWood Apiary Aliquippa, PA: Granola Bars--great for road trips!:

Granola Bars

2 cups old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds

1 cup sliced, raw almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup flax meal (or wheat germ)

1/2 cup honey (I used summer honey)

1/8 cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup chopped dried fruit (I used a combination of apricots and cranberries)

Oil an 8x8 baking dish and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spread the oats, almonds, coconut and flaxmeal on a cookie sheet and toast for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice.  Combine the honey and brown sugar, butter, vanilla and salt in a sauce pan over medium heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.  Remove the oats et al.  from the oven and reduce temperature to 300 degrees.  Place oats et al. in a bowl and immediately add the honey mixture along with the dried fruit.  Toss to combine very well.  Pour mixture into the oiled baking dish, and use a cup to press it firmly and evenly down.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Cool completely and cut into 1-inch bars.