chocolate & apricot granola bars

ingredients

2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
​1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
​1/4 cup 85% dark chocolate chopped

method

Heat oven to 180 degrees.

Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminium foil.
Then lightly oil.

Add oats and almonds to a small baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes, stir and bake another 3 to 5 minutes until lightly toasted.
Transfer to a large bowl.
 
Combine butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Cook, stirring occasionally until butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely.
 
Pour butter mixture into a bowl and mix in the toasted oats and almonds.
Let cool for about 5 minutes then add apricots and a 1/4 cup of the chopped chocolate.
Stir to combine. 
 
Transfer the mixture to the lined pan and firmly press the mixture into the pan. 
Cover then refrigerate at least 2 hours.

​Remove the block of granola mixture from pan then peel away the aluminium foil. Cut into bars.
 
Store bars in an airtight container - if not eaten instantly!