Homemade Granola Bars

This recipe is from a new Ina Garten cookbook I just got this week. I love new cookbooks. These turned out really good, and I'm excited to make them again using other fruit/nut combinations.

2 c. old-fashioned oats
1 c. sliced almonds
1 c. shredded coconut
1/2 c. toasted wheat germ
3 Tbs. unsalted butter
2/3 c. honey
1/4 c. light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 c. chopped pitted dates
1/2 c. chopped dried apricots
1/2 c. dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8x12 baking dish and line with parchment paper.

Toss the oatmeal, almonds and coconut on a sheet pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned. (I only had raw wheat germ so Itoasted the wheat germ with the oat mixture.) Transfer to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees.

Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan and bring to 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. (I used dried cranberries and golden raisins in place of the dates and apricots.)

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.