First Family Snacks: Fruit & Oat Granola Bars from the White House

Adapted from Bill Yosses, White House pastry chef, via the New York Times , May 11, 2010

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup mixed seeds, such as pumpkin, sunflower, flax and sesame

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup canola oil

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup maple syrup

Pinch salt

1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit, such as raisins, cherries, apricots, blueberries, pears, figs and cranberries (use a few kinds, and chop them up if they're big)

a shake of cinnamon

350F and line a

9×

9 baking pan with parchment paper or foil, letting a few inches hang over side of pan. Spray with nonstick spray.

6 to 8 minutes, shaking pan once.

In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, oil, honey, maple syrup and salt over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until smooth and starting to bubble. Transfer the toasted oats and seeds to a mixing bowl. add the dried fruit and cinnamon and pour the hot sugar mixture overtop. Stir well with a heat-proof spatula, then spread into the prepared pan.

25-30 minutes, until golden. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Using the overhanging foil or paper, lift out of pan and place on a cutting board; cut into squares or bars. Makes about 2 dozen bars.