coconut oat bars
MAKES 11 (1/2-cup) SERVINGS
4 cups quick or old-fashioned rolled oats, uncooked
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup chopped peanuts
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place oats in a 9x13-inch baking pan and heat in oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place in a large mixing bowl. Stir in brown sugar, wheat germ, coconut and peanuts.
In a small bowl, stir together oil, molasses and vanilla. Pour liquid into oat mixture and stir until well-combined.
Divide mixture between two baking sheets and toast in oven, stirring every 5 minutes until evenly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool. Stir until crumbly. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.
Joseph Stefanic, Oak Park
