No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Bars with Fruit and Nuts

(from enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com)

As its been too bloody hot to cook, I had to resort to an alternative to the bran muffins - which, granted, I'm sort of over - at least until the Fall. Doubtful these are as packed w/ fibre, but darn it, they are tasty! Everything I want in a chewy granola type bar, like seriously chewy, and I significantly decreased the amount of honey, so while tossing everything together (actually it was more of a hardcore mash up, wearing rubber gloves!) I realized it looked a tad dry. But no worries - it packed into the pan nicely, and after cooling, cut really easily - no crumbs. Me likey a lot, will be making these steadily.

2½ cups old-fashioned oatmeal
½ cup toasted wheat germ (mine wasn't toasted, does it have to be?)
½ cup dried nonfat milk powder (looked for soy, couldn't find - oh well)
½ cup dried cherries, blueberries, or other dried fruit, coarsely chopped (I used a combo of sour cherries, dates, and cranberries)
½ cup roasted almonds (or other roasted or toasted nuts or seeds)(I used all sunflower seeds)
1 cup natural-style nut or seed butter (e.g., peanut, cashew, almond, or tahini) (3/4 cup almond butter + 1/4 cup tahini is nice)
¼ cup honey plus an extra tbsp
1/3 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt

Line a 9x9" square metal baking pan foil; spray w/ nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl mix the oatmeal, wheat germ, milk powder, dried fruit and nuts; set aside.

Place the nut butter, honey and molasses in a large heavy saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly, melted and smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Mix in the cereal mixture (mix until well blended and all of the oat mixture is coated).

Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Using a large square of wax paper or foil, very firmly press mixture down into pan to compact.

Cool completely. Remove bars using foil overhang and then cut into 16 bars or squares. Tightly wrap each bar in plastic wrap. Store the wrapped bars in a plastic zip-top bag in the refrigerator.