Homemade granola bars-Great for road trips, hikes...

Yield: Makes 16 bars

Cook Time: 40 minutes

• INGREDIENTS
¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup coconut oil (or unsalted butter)
¾ cup nut butter (such as almond or peanut butter, preferably natural-style or homemade)
(I also added apple butter)
½ cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
⅓ cup honey                                                                                            
2 tablespoons water
2½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1½ cups raw sliced almonds
I also added some walnuts
½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup oat bran (or ½ cup old-fashioned oats processed in a food processor until powdery)
I used rice bran instead
¼ cup sesame seeds
I also add some left over granola mix
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking sheet with a long sheet of parchment paper (you’ll use the overhang to pull the granola out of the pan).

2. In a large saucepan set over medium heat, combine the butter, coconut oil, nut butter, brown sugar, vanilla, honey and water; stir frequently, until the mixture is syrupy, about 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the oats, almonds, coconut, chocolate chips, oat bran, sesame seeds and cinnamon, stirring until well combined.

3. Transfer the mixture to the parchment-lined baking sheet and press firmly into the pan using a wooden spoon or spatula to flatten the top. Evenly sprinkle the salt over the top.

4. Bake until the edges are dark and the center is still soft, about 30 minutes. Cool completely before lifting out of the pan and slicing into sixteen 2¼-inch-by-3¼-inch bars. Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

--