D’s Special Granola Bars

2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup crisp rice cereal
1/2 cup flax seed
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried cranberries &/or cherries
1 cup unsalted roasted almonds
1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
3/4 cup raw honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbl. butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds

Mix grains, fruits, seeds, and nuts in large bowl.
Stir together and bring to boil, stirring
occasionally, the honey, brown sugar, salt, and
butter. Let boil undisturbed for 3 minutes (soft
bars) or 6 minutes (for crunchy bars). Remove from
heat and stir in vanilla. Quickly stir into dry
ingredients.

Lay out a large piece of waxed paper. Sprinkle with
seasame seeds. Pour out mixture onto waxed paper and
shape into rectangle using buttered fingers or a small
piece of waxed paper. Let sit 5-10 minutes. Using a
very sharp knife, cut into bars. Store in air tight
container or freeze. I like to eat mine frozen!
Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.

Of course there are dozens of variations. Here are a
few:
-Change the fruits or nuts used or omit them
altogether
-Use unsweetened oat rings cereal instead of
rice.(great with peanut butter)
-Add 1/2 cup peanut butter to boiling syrup(remove
from heat first)
-Use different flavorings like raspberry, maple, or
orange instead of vanilla
-Use dried apples and sprinkle bars with cinnamon
– add about 1/2 cup chocolate
chips and use brown rice cereal sweetened with
fruit juice.