Ingredients
1½cupsold fashioned rolled oats
1cupwalnuts,chopped
½cupalmonds,sliced
⅔cupunsweetened coconut,shredded
½cuphoney
3tbsplight brown sugar,packed
2tbspunsalted butter
1½tspvanilla extract
¼tspsalt,plus ⅛ tsp
1cupcrisp rice cereal,such as Rice Krispies
¾cupdried fruit,such as cranberries, diced apricots, blueberries, currants, etc
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil.
Spread the oats, walnuts and almonds onto the prepared baking sheet.
Place in the oven and toast for 7 minutes.
Add the coconut and toss well with a rubber spatula, then place back in the oven to cook for 4 to 5 minutes more. Keep an eye on it towards the end; the coconut should turn golden but not burn.
Combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract and salt in a small saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Whisk and bring to a rapid boil, then turn off the heat and set aside.
Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F.
Combine the oat mixture, honey mixture, rice cereal, and dried fruit in a large bowl and toss well. Reserve the aluminum foil.
Use the reserved foil to line a 9×13-inch baking dish, then spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Turn the granola bar mixture out into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly, patting down with a spatula.
Be sure the heat is reduced to 300 degrees F, then bake for 20 to 23 minutes, until lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and cool completely for 1 to 1½ hours.
Use the foil overhang to transfer the bars to a cutting board, then use a large, sharp knife to cut into rectangles.
Serve and enjoy!
