Fruit Granola Bars

I have tried a lot of granola bars over the years and homemade or store bought, these are the best I have ever had! It's mostly Ina Garten's recipe from the barefoot contessa back to basics cookbook. It's my #1 cookbook right now. If you like her and don't have this book already, go get it! So many amazing recipes! But, in typical fashion as I always do, I modified it a little bit. I substituted raisins for the dates and added cinnamon chips. I think the cinnamon chips are what really made them. There is the hint of cinnamon in the granola and it sweetened them up just enough. Oh, so good!

The granola bars were crunchy and were delcious plain, but I can't wait to have some with milk for breakfast tomorrow and then mixed in with my yogurt for my mid-morning snack at work! The most amazing part, is that they are healthy, and my 5 year old would NOT stop eating them all day today!

Fruit Granola Bars

2 C oats
1 C chopped almonds
1 C shredded coconut
1/2 C wheat bran
3 T unsalted butter
2/3 C honey
1/4 C brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C raisins
1/2 C craisins
1/2 C chopped dried apricots
1/2 C cinnamon chips

Mix oats, almonds, and coconut together on a cookie sheet with raised sides and cook at 350 stirring occasionly for about 12 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Transfer the mixture into a large mixing bowl and add wheat bran.

In a small saucepan, melt honey, butter, and brown sugar together. Add vanilla and salt. Stir together and pour over oat mixture. Add dried fruit and cinnamon chips and mix well. Pour mixture into cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and press evenly.

Bake at 300 for 25 minutes. Cool slightly before cutting into bars, or cool completely to break into odd sized pieces. Serve at room temperature.