Jack'S Chewy Granola Bars

• 1 2/3 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup oat or brown rice flour (or 1/3 cup oats, processed till finely ground in a food processor or blender)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 to 3 cups dried fruits and nuts (we used dried apricots and cherries, unsweetened coconut, and chocolate chips)
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons brown rice syrup
• 1 tablespoon water

1. Preheat the oven to 350u0b0F. Line an 8" x 8" x 2" pan in one direction with parchment paper, allowing it to go up the opposing sides. Lightly grease the parchment paper and the exposed pan, or coat with a non-stick spray.
2. Stir together all the dry ingredients, including the fruit and nuts. You may need to break up dried fruit pieces (like chopped apricots) and make sure they pieces are coated with the oat/flour mixture. This will make sure that dried fruit is evenly distributed.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vanilla, melted butter, liquid sweeteners and water. Toss the wet ingredients with the dry and peanut butter, until the mixture is evenly crumbly. Spread in the prepared pan, wet your fingers, and then press firmly to ensure dough is molded to the shape of the pan
4. Bake the bars for 30 to 40 minutes, until they're brown around the edges - don't be afraid to get a little color on the tops too. They'll still seem soft and almost underbaked when you press into the center of the pan but do not worry, they'll set completely once completely cool.
5. Cool the bars in their pan for 20 minutes and then in refrigerator for 20-30 more, until cold. Use parchment sling to remove from pan and put on cutting board.
6. Once cool, a serrated knife (or bench knife) to cut the bars into squares. To store, wrap the bars individually in plastic or stack them in an airtight container. It's best to store bars in the refrigerator. Good for one week in fridge.
7. They also freeze well.

rolled oats, granulated sugar, brown rice, salt, ground cinnamon, nuts, peanut butter, vanilla, butter, honey, brown rice syrup, water

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/jacks-chewy-granola-bars-52665971 (may not work)