Granola Cereal Bars

On-the-go breakfast bars which also make great lunchbox fillers. Make a Healthy choice by baking your own breakfast treats. Most manufactured granola bar brands are laden with fat & other unhealthy ingredients. Especially those fatty “healthy alternatives” to Chewy Granola Bars from Kashi. Below is a Recipe for some affordable-good old Granola bars that will get you going and keep you healthy.

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups rolled oats (use steel cut oats;will stick together better)

1 cup raw sliced almonds
1 cup cashew pieces 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup raw hulled sesame seeds (optional)
 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
Also need – parchment paper

Directions

1. Place an oven rack in the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 250 degrees. 
2. Line a large rimmed rectangular baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 
3. Place the oats, almonds, cashews, coconut, seeds and spices in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. 
4. Heat the butter and honey together in a small saucepan over low heat until the butter melts. 
5. Stir in sea salt and vanilla. Remove from the heat.  
6. Pour the hot liquids over the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the dry ingredients are evenly moist. 
7. Turn the granola onto the prepared pan and press firmly with a spatula to create an even layer, about 1/2 inch thick. 
8. Bake until the granola is firm to the touch and a deep golden brown, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. (The granola will become crisper as it cools.) 
9. Cool completely in the pan, then lift an edge of parchment and break the granola into pieces (if making bars) or break it up into small chunks by pounding it in a zip lock bag (if making cereal).
10. Store in plastic bags or air tight container at room temperature. The Granola will keep at the height of it's texture and flavor for 2weeks. Serve with dried or fresh fruit and milk or yogurt or eat out of hand.

makes about 3 pounds...