Oatmeal Bars Loaded with Cranberries and Nuts

Step 1

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment or wax paper. In a big bowl, toss together the oats, cranberries, pecans, ground flax seed, chocolate chips, and wheat germ. In another microwave-safe bowl, combine the brown sugar, honey, vegetable oil, and a pinch of salt. Microwave this mixture for about 30 seconds, give it a good stir, then heat it for another 30 seconds until it’s smooth and well blended. Stir in the vanilla extract and cinnamon. Pour the wet mixture over the oat mixture and stir everything together until it’s evenly mixed and the chocolate starts to melt. Press the mixture firmly into your prepared pan, then bake for around 30 minutes, or until the edges turn a nice golden brown. When it’s done, use the parchment paper to lift the whole thing out of the pan and let it cool for about 5 minutes before slicing into bars.