Snow-capped Granola Bites

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup pecan halves, chopped
• 1/4 cup dates, diced
• 1/4 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup unsalted sunflower seed kernels
• 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2-3/4 cup vanilla baking chips

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350*. line a 10 x 6 cake pan with parchment paper.
• 2 in a large bowl, mix together coconut, pecans, dates, cranberries and sunflower kernels. set aside.
• 3 heat the oats in a small frying pan until toasted a light brown. this could take about 10 minutes. do not leave unattended. when done, add to the fruit and nut mixture.
• 4 in a small saucepan, over medium heat, mix together butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. once incorporated, increase heat and boil for 1 minute. remove from heat and add vanilla.
• 5 quickly pour this over the fruit/oat mixture and stir until combined.
• 6 press into the prepared pan. i've had good success laying another sheet of parchment over the mixture and pressing with a spatula. bake for 15 minutes.
• 7 remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with vanilla baking chips. allow the chips to soften for a few minutes, then using an offset spatula, spread to ice.
• 8 allow to cool to room temperature before removing from the pan and cutting into serving size pieces. they will be easier to cut if barely warm.