Chewy Healthful Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 c rolled oats
• 3/4 c packed brown sugar
• 1/2 c wheat germ (if you don't have any, just use that much more oats)
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 c whole wheat flour
• 3/4 c dried cranberries (or raisins, if you prefer)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 c honey
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 c applesauce or pumpkin puree
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350.  Grease 9x13 pan.
• In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients (including the cranberries).  Make a well in the center and pour the honey, egg, applesauce, and vanilla inside.  Mix well.  
• Pat mixture evenly into pan.  Bake for 30-35 minutes, until bars begin to turn golden around the edges.  Cool 5 minutes on wire rack, then cut into bars. Remove from pan and allow to finish cooling on wire rack.  Store in airtight container.

Graham Crackers

Serena LOVES these! I love them too because they are much better for her than the ones in the store, plus they are very easy to make!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter, chilled & cubed
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a mixer, combine first 6 ingredients. Add butter and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add honey & water until combined.
• Take a portion of the dough (an amount you can easily handle...I usually take a softball-sized chunk) and roll out on a floured surface to about 1/4" thickness. Cut out shapes and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 14-15 minutes.
• Continue until all the dough is used.
• If desired, you can freeze the shapes before baking them and then bake them as needed. To do this, place the cut-out cookies on a baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes. Then, place the frozen cookies in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 4 months. To bake, add an additional 1-2 minutes to the baking time.