Granola Bars

These are adapted from "Playgroup Granola Bars" on allrecipes.com. Super easy and delicious.

Granola Bars

2 cups rolled oats

3/4 cup packed brown sugar (I subbed granulated sugar one day and they were fine)

1/2 cup ground flax

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (generous)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (you could use all whole wheat, easily)

1/2 cup wheat flour

3/4 cup dried cherries (generous) - Katie K. used craisins soaked in warm water and they were great, too

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup honey (generous)

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup vegetable oil (extra light olive oil)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ (flax), cinnamon, flour, raisins (cherries) and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla (and almond extract). Mix well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.

3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.