Chewy Granola Bars

Do NOT preheat oven. In a large bowl, mix together oats, wheat flour, coconut, dry milk, wheat germ, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. In a glass measuring dish combine oil, honey, corn syrup, and vanilla. Add to the oat mixture and mix well so that all is blended and sticky. Add dried fruit and/or mini chocolate chips, and again, mix well.

Cover the bottom of an ungreased jelly roll pan with coarsely chopped almonds, peanuts, and cashews. You may sprinkle it with mini chocolate chips too, if desired. Sprinkle granola mixture over nuts and press firmly with a metal spatula.

Bake 10 minutes at 375ºF. Take out of oven and again press firmly with a metal spatula. (Granola will be puffy and soft.) Bake another 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Once more, press bars firmly with a metal spatula. Cool 10 minutes and cut into bars with pizza cutter.

Combine the peanut butter coating ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat. Stirring constantly, bring mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and pour over granola bars, creating a thin coating. Cool completely. Turn out on waxed paper and cut bars again through the peanut butter coating.

Makes 33 bars. These will keep for several weeks, but they never last more than a week in our home!

2 secret tips:
1. Place the pan in an unheated oven to begin the cooking time to prevent granola from getting overcooked.
2. Pressing the mixture repeatedly with a metal spatula will assure a granola bar that will stick together. I even press again after cutting them into bars.