Oat & Fruit Granola Bars

Need a healthy snack for on-the-go kids (and parents).

Try homemade granola bars.

 Oat & Fruit Granola Bars

3 cups chopped dates

1 1/4 cups warm water

2 large eggs

2 cups oatmeal

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups raisins (or other dried fruit)

 In a blender, combine chopped dates and warm water.  Blend until very smooth.  In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients (except for the raisins).  Stir until well mixed.  Add raisins.

Line two 11x7 pans (you could probably use one cake pan instead, I just liked the 7 inch length for granola bars) with foil.  Spread dough in pans.  Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.  Carefully lift the bars by pulling the foil out.  Cool on a rack (still on the foil).  After bars are cool, carefully peel foil from the bottom of the bars.  Use a pizza cutter to slice bars.