Granola Bars

It seems nearly impossible to find nutritious, yet nut-free granola bars, so why not just make your own?

INGREDIENTS: (fruits and grains may be substituted)

• 2 cups rolled oats

• ½ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)

• ¼ cup wheat germ

• 1/4 cup whole flax seeds

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• ½ cup raisins

• ¼ cup dried cranberries

• 2 tablespoon sunflower seeds

• 2 tablespoon pumpkin seeds

• ¾ teaspoon sea salt

• ½ cup honey

• 1 egg

• 1/3 cup butter

• 1/3 cup mashed ripe banana

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

HOW TO MAKE:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

2. Grease 9 by 13 inch baking pan

3. In large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, flax, cinnamon, flour, raisins, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and salt

4. Mix

5. Form hole in the center

6. Melt butter

7. Beat egg

8. In medium bowl, combine honey, egg, butter, banana, and vanilla

9. Stir

10. Pour honey mixture into hole of dry mixture

11. Mix well

12. Lightly grease your hands with butter

13. Pat down granola bar dough evenly into pan.

14. Bake for 24 minutes (for less chewy bars, bake for about 26 minutes)

15. Allow to cool for 5 minutes

16. Cut into desired shapes

**Be careful with the ingredients used. Always double check the ingredient labels of your products, as you will find that some brands do not make these ingredients free of nut exposure.