Harvest Granola Bars

Ingredients
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2/3 cup honey
1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped dried papaya
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots or mangos
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Cooking Tools

Sheet pan

Medium mixing bowl

Small saucepan

8 x 12 baking dish

Parchment paper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper. Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the raisin, papaya, apricots, and cranberries, sesame, sunflower seeds and stir well.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, cool slightly to not burn yourself, wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan or use an off-set spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares or rectangles. Serve at room temperature.
Yields 12 bars