Chewy Breakfast Bars

This is one of our favorite breakfast for on the go mornings paired up with a kefir shake or even an afternoon snack while running errands. The recipe is pretty flexible and you can substitute any of the fruits with what ever you have on hand or find on a great sale.

Chewy Breakfast Bars
Yields 24 Bars

1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9x13 cake pan or small baking sheet

2. Combine the following ingredients in a large mixing bowl :

4 1/2 cups Old Fashion Oats
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dried peaches, chopped
1 1/4 cup wheat germ (whole wheat flour is fine - you just lose good fiber and nutrients)
1/4 cup raw flaxseeds, pulsed a few times in a food processor
2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. cinnamon

3. In a small sauce pan combine the following ingredients until smooth:

2 tsp. molasses (or low sugar fruit butter)
2 cup honey
3 tsp. vanilla extract

4. Pour into baking sheet and pack it. Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool. Cut and enjoy.

5. Wrap extra bars individually in plastic wrap or small baggies and place in an air tight container.

Notes:
Make a double or triple batch for the month and freeze anything you won't eat within the first week. They freeze great! If not frozen they will last for about 2 weeks, give or take the conditions.

Other fruits that work out great are currants, raisins and assorted dried berries. You can also sub in raw almonds in for other great nutrients.

Check out other great recipes here and here and menu planning ideas, here.