Barbara Beery's Groovy Granola Bars

Let's Start Baking!

4 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup all-purpose flour (or ½ cup whole wheat flour and ½ cup all-purpose flour)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup sunflower seeds, almonds, or other nuts
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla
2/3 cup butter (not margarine) softened
¾ cup honey
1 cup dried raisins, cranberries, blueberries, or apples

In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the dried fruit and nuts. Mix well with an electric mixer until all ingredients are incorporated.
Get your muscles ready. This stuff is thick! Stir in the fruit and nuts until they are mixed into the oatmeal dough.
Scoop out dough and press into a 9x13 inch baking pan, lined with foil and sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan for 10 minutes.
Lift foil on the sides to remove the entire batch from the pan.
Cut into bars and cool another 10 minutes before removing cut bars from foil.
Store in an air-tight container or individually wrap each one in plastic wrap so they're ready to go when you are!