Granola bars

I've been searching Pinterest for a good granola bar recipe for awhile now. Silly me forgot that I had this great recipe in my old marble notebook with the stained pages.




They really are the best, with lots of flexibility and little processed sugar.

Ingredients:

4.5 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shortening (see note)
3/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups add-ins (dried fruit, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, roasted almonds, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, mini marshmallows...an combo equalling 2 cups total)

-- preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease 13x9 pan

-- mix first 5 ingredients in a large bowl until shortening is well incorporated

-- stir in honey and brown sugar, then fold in your add-ins.

-- pat into greased pan, bake for 20-25 minutes. They should just barely be golden on top.

-- let cool slightly, then cut into bars. Leave them in the pan until completely cooled. I store them in snack sized bags in our snack basket or on a plate in the fridge, wrapped tightly.

{Note: we use a combination of coconut oil and dairy-free margarine for our shortening. You could use all butter or any combination you like.}