Healthy (Ish) Chewy Granola Bars

I tried for a long time to find a chewy granola bar recipe that my kids enjoyed and that stayed moist. This is what I came up with! It is fairly healthy and you can mess with the additions to get what you want in a granola bar. I will often use sliced almonds instead of cranberries, or chocolate chips instead of raisins. The choices are endless!

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 18-20
• Yields: 20 bars

Ingredients

• 2  cups rolled oats
• 1  cup whole wheat flour
• 1⁄2 cup wheat germ
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar (optional)
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup cranberries
• 1⁄2 cup raisins
• 1  cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3  tablespoons water
• 1  tablespoon flax seed meal
• 1⁄2 cup honey
• 2  teaspoons vanilla

Directions

1. In a large bowl combine the oats, whole wheat flour, wheat germ, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, cranberries and raisins. Mix thoroughly.
2. In a separate bowl combine the unsweetened applesauce, water, flax meal, honey and vanilla.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Stir until everything is moistened.
4. Place mixture into a greased 9x13 pan.
5. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
6. Cut into bars while still warm, but do not remove from pan until they are cooled completely.
7. Store in an airtight container.