Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. Spray with nonstick spray.
In a heat-safe bowl, cover the prunes with hot water. Soak for 10 minutes. Drain and place in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the syrup, molasses, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Process to form a thick paste, about 20 seconds (stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice with a rubber spatula). Add 2 cups of the oats and pulse 8 to 10 times, until the oats are coarsely chopped. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup oats, apricots, nuts and sunflower seeds.
Using slightly dampened hands, press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
Cool the dish for 15 minutes at room temperature, then transfer to the freezer and chill until completely cooled (about 30 minutes). Cut into 10 or 12 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
These sound so tasty! I make my own sandwich bread almost every weekend…I think that’s something most people buy I’ve started making home made almond milk. Never realized how very easy it was to do. I’ve always wanted to make my own granola bars for the kids. Thanks so much for the recipe. Gonna give this a try this weekend.
These look fantastic, and I can’t wait to try them! I love finding healthy alternatives to the crap you can find in the store.
Can’t wait to try these! I make almost all our food from scratch now since we are gf, dairy free, low-sugar, soy, corn and nightshade free! My favorites I make are bread, butter, granola, ice cream, pies and cakes. Anything my toddler will eat I would love to try these bars for my 8 yr old. These lookk delicious and I am sure my son would love it. I make the rice crispy treats at home using peanut butter and so far no complaints i make my own almond milk and use the pulp for cereal. i wish i wish i wish i had one of these bars right now and that i was eating it while reading my new cookbook.
I love making homemade pizza dough. It’s simple and a whole bunch healthier!
Although I know how to make bread I’d like to get better at it so I don’t have to buy it from the store. Life is good I make homemade pizza dough and sauce!
Every Friday I make my own Challah – it’s much more delicious than store bought and my kids wouldn’t want it any other way!
Bread, granola, salsa, tomato sauce…it goes on and on Wow these look super good… I started making my own flavored lattes and coffee creamers… From the Recipe Girl archives, of course! Thanks so much for this recipe! I’m excited to try it… And I totally know what you mean about the guilt about buying and serving up processed food… It’s just so much easier sometimes. Oh well, I’m working on it! I always make my own tomato sauce and this year hopefully it will be full of heirloom tomatoes from our garden. I would like to start making more of snacky treats my family enjoys, like these yummy granola bars, and I will not feel bad to let them have their sweets.
I love baking and make most of the desserts in my house, when I have time. I can’t wait to try these because they look so much better than store-bought. I would love the recipes from a lot of the previous comments.
I make ice cream, trail mix and cookies! I cannot find any of these in stores that do not contain ingredients I cannot eat, or would not eat for that matter!
I just learned how to make homemade tortillas. They’re super simple, but taste amazing! Awesome giveaway.
I always make my own granola (peanut butter and banana!) and in the summer, ice cream I’ve made homemade alfredo sauce, and homemade taco seasoning! I’ve made a homemade cake too Yay! I make my own harissa! Canned a bunch last year. It is almost gone….time to make more!!I am planning on making homeade english muffins this weekend I used to make all of my cookies, pancakes, and bread from scratch, but my 10 yo is now gluten-free and lactose-free (and may end up dairy-free ) so I’m having to learn lots of new techniques. Gluten-free is waaaaay different with baking. I’m too late for the giveaway, but thx for the info on the book!!I have been making my own greek yogurt. SO much better than store bought and more economical too!
I am not the best in the kitchen and would like to make homemade granola bars and you have totally inspired me to do it! I make my own lemonade, does that count?
I like to make my own protein bars but I’m looking for a new recipe to try.
i love to make homemade salsa, since here in italy i can’t find it. the only problem is the cilantro, which isn’t sold either, so i have to grow it! pretty sustainable and awesome if you ask me. i LOVE your blog! i just stumbled across it and i’m so happy to add you to my foodie favorites. I enjoy making homemade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, bread and mexican rice Thanks for sharing all these wonderful recipes! I will be making these granola bars for sure! I like to make my own rubs, taco seasoning, made my first batch of hollandaise sauce today..fun . Would like to make my own yogurt. As a college student I buy almost everything prepackaged or frozen so when I go home I love to make homemade granola! Adding in my personal favorites to add my own finishing touches – I bring it back in bulk to try and save some money but I’m lucky if it lasts the first week back! Summers are great for trying new receipes I'm Lori Lange, recipe developer, food writer and Mom. I'm sharing over 2,500 of my favorite recipes and theme menus with you.
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