homeade granola bars

Ina Garten is my absolute favorite person to watch on the food network. I found this recipe in her back to basics cookbook. Pretty much everything I have tried from that book has been delicious. My husband absolutely loves these bars! The actual recipe calls for pitted dates, dried apricots, and dried cranberries but I just use chocolate chips or whatever I have on hand.

2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds (I omit these so my toddler can enjoy them too)
1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup of chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 7 x 12-iinch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and sitr 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 a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add chocolate chips or whatever add ins you will be using and stir well.
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. Serve at room temperature.