Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

Adapted from lots of other recipes, this healthy version is our favorite. Easily made in one saucepan, and makes a quick breakfast option! The butter is optional, but we like them much better with it included...

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 9-12
• Yields: 9 granola bars

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups rolled oats
• 1  cup  chopped  nuts (I use walnuts, almonds and a small handful of sunflower seeds)
• 1  cup  chopped  dried fruit (I use dried apricots and dried cherries)
• 1⁄2 cup honey
• 3  tablespoons brown sugar
• 2  tablespoons butter (optional)
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 2  teaspoons cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease an 8x8 glass pan.
3. Place nuts and oats on a baking sheet, and bake for about 12 minutes or until lightly toasted.
4. While oats and nuts are toasting, place in a saucepan over medium heat the honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon and salt.
5. Stir until the mixture bubbles, and keep it boiling and stirring for about 2 minutes.
6. When oats and nuts come out of the oven, turn it down to 325.
7. Take the pan off the heat, and when the oats are finished, pour them right into the saucepan and mix to combine honey mixture evenly.
8. Stir in the chopped dried fruit.
9. Press mixture into the glass pan with the back of a spoon - it will be pretty sticky.
10. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes, and let cool completely before cutting.
11. Wrapped in saran wrap, these will keep for at least a couple of weeks!