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1
Spray a 13x9 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 F.
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2
Mix the quick oats, nuts and seeds, and flax on a sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
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3
While the nuts are toasting, combine the molasses/honey, butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and spices in a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has dissolved, stirring often.
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4
When the nut mixture has finished toasting, remove from the oven and reduce oven heat to 300 F. Immediately put the nut mixture in a large bowl with the dried fruit and bran flakes. Pour the hot liquid over the top and mix, mix, mix. Ensure all the pieces are coated with the liquid. This will take a few minutes.
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5
Press the granola into the prepared dish, distributing the mixture evenly. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove, press again, and let cool completely before cutting.
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6
Note on nuts and seeds: Go ahead and switch it up. I've found that as long as I have plenty of smaller pieces/seeds to help hold things together, the type doesn't matter as much.
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7
Note on spices: Other great flavors to use are fennel and lavender.
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8
Note on baking: It can bake longer depending on how crunchy you like your bars. I prefer mine sticky.
