Chewy Fruity Granola Bars
From the kitchen of Chez Tse

Makes 16

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats (not instant)
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup light colored honey, such as clover
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 dried apricots, chopped
• 12 dried unsweetened cherries, chopped
• 4 tablespoons dried, unsweetened cranberries, chopped

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, toss together oats, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
• Spread mixture on a baking sheet and toast in oven 15 minutes, tossing once.
• While mixture is toasting, heat together honey, brown sugar and butter in a small saucepan until sugar and butter have melted.
• Mix together oat mixture, apricots, cherries and dried cranberries until dried fruit is evenly coated with wheat germ.
• Add warm honey mixture and mix until well combined with a wooden spoon.
• Decrease oven temperature to 300.
• Line an 8x8 glass baking dish with parchment.
• Pour granola mixture into pan.
• Using a second sheet of parchment, press granola into an even layer in baking dish.
• Discard second parchment sheet.
• Bake granola bars in oven 15 minutes.
• Remove and let cool completely.
• Cut into squares and serve.