Fruit & nut muesli bars

By Diane Stevens.

Here is an easy recipe that we have adapted from Bill Granger’s muesli bars.  They are a healthy alternative to sweets (i.e. no butter or refined sugar) and are ideal as an  energy boost for kids:  in their lunchboxes, for morning tea or afternoon snack, before sport or homework!

125 ml sunflower or grape seed oil 

1 cup honey

¼ cup pure maple syrup

4 cups rolled oats (untoasted)

½ cup sesame seeds

1 cup pitted dates, chopped

½ cup mixed dried fruit (I used dried cranberries, currants,sultanas)

¾ cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional for decoration on top)

• Preheat oven to 150 Celsius.  Grease a 20 cm X 30 cm lamington pan and line with baking paper.
• Put oil, honey and maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat, whisk until ingredients are combined.
• Place all dry ingredients in a large bowl and add honey mixture. Stir well ensuring all ingredients stick together loosely.
• Transfer mixture to pan, spread evenly to edges of tray and press firmly. If desired, sprinkle an additional tablespoon of sesame seeds over prepared pan.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown
• Allow tray to cool or store in refrigerator overnight before cutting into bars. They are ideal to freeze or will keep in an airtight container for 4-5 days.

Enjoy.