Homemade Granola Bars That Travel Well

These granola bars are the perfect snack or even dessert as my grandma likes to eat them.  I made them especially for her and since I was sending them in the mail I had to make sure they would travel well. The bars arrived to her perfectly.

You can cut them as big or little as you like. I prefer the standard long rectangle shape.

I swapped the dates for golden raisins since I couldn't find any at the store.

Guess who didn't have enough honey and had to add a little maple syrup.....still just as yummy.

I swapped flax seed and oat bran (which I already had) for wheat germ. I was going to buy it but at $5.99 a jar-no thanks.

Packaged and ready to send.

Do you send treats to your family or friends?

Homemade Granola Bars
by Ina Garten

Ingredients


2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed

1/2 cup toasted wheat germ

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2/3 cup honey

1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup chopped pitted dates

1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.

Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.