Fruit and Nut Bars

Directions

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   1.
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   Preheat the oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
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   Prepare an 8x8-inch pan with oil or non-stick cooking spray.
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   2.
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   Arrange the nuts on a sheet pan and toast for 10 minutes or until fragrant.
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   Allow them to cool and then give them a rough chop.
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   Combine the chopped nuts, dried fruit, and cereals in a heat-proof bowl.
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   Use your fingers to separate the fruit if it clumps together.
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   3.
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    Reduce oven temperature to 300-degrees Fahrenheit.
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    4.
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    Combine butter, brown sugar, and honey in a medium sauce pan and stir to moisten the brown sugar.
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    Set over medium heat and bring to a boil, swirling the pan once or twice to make sure all the ingredients combine.
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    As soon as the sugar mixture comes to a full boil and the sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat.
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    This should take about 5 minutes.
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    5.
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    Off the heat, stir in the vanilla, wheat bran, and salt.
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    Be careful because the sugar will bubble up.
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    Immediately pour sugar syrup over the cereal mixture and use a heat-proof spatula to stir everything together.
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    Make sure the nuts, fruits, and cereals are evenly coated.
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    Pour the cereal mixture into the pan and use the spatula or wet fingers to press the mixture into the pan as firmly as possible.
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    6.
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    Bake 20 minutes for chewy bars or up to 30 minutes for crispier bars.
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    Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
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    Turn out onto a cutting board and use a sharp knife to divide into 8 bars.
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    *We like to wrap the individual bars in plastic wrap so we can quickly grab them and go.
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    The bars will keep for several weeks in an airtight container, or you can also freeze them.