Molasses ginger granola bars

Ingredients

• 2 heaping cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 T ground flaxseed
• 2 T wheat germ
• 2 T chia seeds
• 3 T oat or wheat bran
• 1/2 cup finely diced candied ginger
• 1 1/2 cups puffed grains of choice
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 T molasses
• 1 T light syrup of choice
• 2 T light corn syrup
• 4 T unsalted butter
• 2 T shortening
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 t ground cloves
• 1 t ground ginger
• 1 heaping t ground cinnamon
• sparkling sugar for topping the bars

You may like

Easy cereal bars - 5 ingredients vegan bars

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly spray a 9X9 cake pan.
• Line it with parchment paper and then lightly spray that paper. Toss together the first 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Melt the butter and shortening and pour into a large measuring glass with the molasses, light corn syrup, and the syrup of choice.
• Whisk these together with the salt and spices. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and toss until the dry ingredients have all been evenly moistened.
• Dump the mixture into the prepared pan. Use another square of parchment paper to push the granola evenly into the pan, making sure to get it into the corners, pat it down evenly, and also to press it down quite firmly.
• Sprinkle the top with sparkling sugar. Bake it at 350 F for 30-40 minutes, until the granola has browned, especially around the edges but also some on top. The middle may still be bubbling when you remove it, but it will set.
• Let it cool completely in the pan before removing the bars and slicing with a sharp chef's knife. Store in an airtight container.