**Recipe from Smitten Kitchen
This is the second time I have made these, and I have to say that this might be the most amazing granola bar recipe ever. You can put anything in it - chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, peanuts), dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, apricots), coconut flakes, or chocolate chips. I guarantee any combination would be great!
-1 2/3 cups quick cooking oats
-1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar (if you prefer a mildly sweet bar, use closer to 1/2 cup)
-1/3 cup of oat flour (easily made by putting quick oats in a food processor or by mashing up 1/3 cup in a bowl with a spoon.)
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp cinnamon
-2 to 3 cups of dried fruit, chopped nuts, coconut, chocolate chips, etc. (I used 1 cup of Craisins and 1 cup of walnuts)
-1/3 cup peanut butter
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-6 tbsp unsalted, melted butter
-1/4 cup honey, maple syrup, or corn syrup
-2 tbsp corn syrup
-1 tbsp water
Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 if using a glass dish).
-Lightly grease an 8x8 or 9x5 baking dish or pan.
-In large bowl, stir together all dry ingredients (including the fruits and nuts).
-In a smaller bowl, mix together melted butter, liquid sweetener (honey, maple syrup or corn syrup), vanilla, peanut butter, and water.
-Toss the dry ingredients with the wet until the mixture is combined and crumbly.
-Spread in baking pan or dish, making sure that mixture is pushed down evenly and into the corners.
-Bake 30-40 minutes until edges are brown. It is OK for the top to brown a bit as well.
-Cool the bars completely in the pan (about 1-2 hours), and cut into bars once cooled.
