Gingerbread Granola

I was a little unsure when I read this recipe, but I decided to try it anyway.  These granola bars really do taste like gingerbread cookies, but they are so much healthier.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

½ cup dark brown sugar

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

4 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons molasses

2 cups old fashioned oats

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 cup pecans toasted and chopped

½ cup silvered almonds

½ cup roasted salted cashews

¼ cup pepitas

½ cup dried cranberries

3 tablespoons candied ginger

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground allspice

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ cup whole wheat flour

¼ cup wheat germ

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 rimmed baking sheet with parchment and spray with nonstick spray.
2. Combine the brown sugar, applesauce, honey, and molasses in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring often. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Toss together the oats, nuts, pepitas, cranberries, ginger, spices, wheat flour, wheat germ, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
4. Pour the honey mixture on top and toss to coat.
5. Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheet. Press down gently.
6. Bake until golden 25-30 minutes. Let cool completely before removing from baking sheet and cutting into squares.
7. Store in an air-tight container.
8. Enjoy!