Apricot Granola Bars

From Veggie Life, Winter '02-'03

Granola bars need little bits of a lot of different items, but they are all so healthy it blocks out the brown sugar...right?  Maybe someone out there can suggest a better substitute so the healthy feel is unadulterated, agave perhaps?  Oh ya, and the butter...well, just see disclaimer page.

1 c old-fashioned oats
1/3 c wheat germ
1/3 c whole almonds, unblanched
2 T pumpkin seed kernels
2 T sesame seeds
1/4 c honey
1 T walnut or peanut oil
1/3 c brown sugar
1/4 c melted butter
1/4 c raisins
1/4 c chopped dried apricots
Cooking spray or oil

Preheat oven To 225 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, combine oats, wheat germ, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds.  Add 1 T of the honey and the oil.  Toss to mix well.  Spread mixture on a nonstick baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring often, until toasty.

Raise oven heat to 350 degrees. In same mixing bowl, combine remaining honey, brown sugar, melted butter, raisins, and apricots.  Stir in toasted mixture and mix well.

Line a 9-inch square baking dish with foil and lightly spray or oil.  pour in granola mixture and smooth with a spatula. Bake 13 to 15 minutes, until golden. Remove from oven and cool completely in pan. When cool, tip out granola, remove foil, and cut into bars. Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid.