The Perfect After-School Snack: Homemade Granola Bars

Granola Bars
Granola Bars

Bake a pan of these snacks and you'll never go back to the boxed stuff. They're super-easy and fun to make with kids. One brand uses almost as many nuts as we do, but a 12-bar box is $30! Our tray of 18 costs only $6 - and it's a whole lot tastier.

Yields: 18 granola bars
Total Time: 50 min
Prep Time: 15 min
Oven Temp: 325

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Ingredients:
- 2 cup(s) old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup(s) toasted wheat germ
- 3/4 cup(s) chopped walnuts
- 3/4 cup(s) dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoon(s) packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
- 1/2 cup(s) honey
- 1/2 cup(s) vegetable oil
- 2 large egg whites

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Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray 13" by 9" metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line pan with foil, with ends extending 2 inches over short sides of pan; spray foil.

2. In glass pie plate, spread oats; microwave on High, in 1-minute increments, 4 to 5 minutes or until fragrant and golden, stirring occasionally. Cool to room temperature.

3. In large bowl, combine oats, wheat germ, walnuts, cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in honey, oil, and egg whites until well mixed. Transfer to prepared pan. Using wet hand, press into even layer.

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4. Bake 32 to 35 minutes or until dark golden. Cool in pan on wire rack.

5. When cool, use foil to transfer to cutting board. Cut lengthwise into 6 strips, then cut each strip crosswise into thirds. (You should have roughly 4 1/4" by 1 1/2" bars.) Store in tightly sealed container at room temperature up to 1 week, or in freezer up to 1 month.

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