Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

We love to go hiking and explore the parks we visit, and these bars are great to throw in your pack for a delicious, chewy, energy treat. You can use your imagination and make all kinds of flavor combinations.  Choosing your own favorite ingredient combinations is part of the fun in making these bars. My favorite so far was using almond extract, coconut oil, oven roasted chopped almonds, white chocolate chips, and dried cherries. Pure decadence.  Let me know what flavor combinations you try.  Enjoy!

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Ingredients:

• 2 1/3 cups rolled oats 
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar 
• 2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2  tsp vanilla or almond extract (I use a little less when using almond)
• 1/2 cup fat of choice (coconut oil, peanut butter, butter, etc.)
• 3 cups nuts/dried fruit/chips/seeds (endless combinations) 

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together very well.  Line a 9x13 with parchment paper.  Pour mixture into pan, press down firmly and evenly.  Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.  Let cool completely.  Cut into bars then lift out of pan on parchment paper and wrap individually in wax paper and put in airtight baggies for on the go eating.  These freeze well too, I freeze them by the gallon baggie, and just pull out what I need for each trip.