Granola Bars

oats, corn syrup, brown sugar, honey, dates, seed, nuts, sunflower seeds, margarine, coconut, bran, flour, cinnamon

Ingredients

4 cups oats (old-fashioned)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup flax seed meal
1/2 cup oat bran
1/2 cup chopped dates (or a combination of both) or 1/2 cup mixed dried fruit (or a combination of both)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, whatever you prefer)
1/4 cup margarine
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions for Granola Bars Recipe

In a large mixing bowl combine oats, sunflower kernels, coconut, flax seed meal, oat bran, dates/fruit and nuts.
In a small sauce pan, melt margarine over medium-low heat.
Add corn syrup, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and honey; stir to combine.
Increase heat to medium and stir occasionally.
Meanwhile spray a 13x9 baking pan with non-stick spray.
Measure out a sheet of foil large enough to cover pan.
Spray foil with non-stick spray and set aside.
Cook corn syrup mixture until it comes to a full boil; let boil for one minute.
Remove from heat and pour over oat mixture.
Stir to combine (mixture will be very stiff).
Transfer mixture into prepared pan.
Cover with prepared foil and PRESS FIRMLY.
You want the mixture to be as compact as possible.
I've even used a small cutting board to help press the mixture firmly& evenly (don't be afraid to stand on it!).
When mixture is as firm and even as you would like, remove foil& let mixture cool.
Cut into bars.
Note: Don't be afraid to add, remove and/or substitute ingredients, such as chocolate chips, wheat germ, raisins, anything goes.
I'd love to get some other suggestions!