Granola or Granola Bars

This is an Ina Garten’s recipe. This is hands down, the best granola I have ever had (with or without my changes). If you make it her way you get bars, my way you get loose granola.

ingredients

2 Cups Old Fashioned Oatmeal (not quick cooking)
1 Cup Sliced Almonds
1 Cup Shredded Coconut
1/2 Cup Wheat Germ
3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
2/3 Cup Honey
1/4 Light Brown Sugar
1 1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Cup Pitted Dates
1/2 Cup Dried Apricots
1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries

directions

1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Toss the oatmeal, almonds, wheat germ and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove toasted cereals to a large mixing bowl and cool.
2
Reduce oven to 300 degrees. Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then our over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Mix well, add the dates, apricots and cranberries and stir well. Pour the mixture into a prepared pan. We your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 20 minutes until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 -3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature. Granola keeps in a tightly covered container at room temperature for at least 3 - 4 weeks.