2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup nuts, chopped
1/2 cup wheat germ, toasted
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies
1 1/2 cups dried fruit (such as cherries, cranberries, or raisins)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil or butter
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. vanilla
Heat oven to 350°F. On separate baking sheets, toast oats and nuts in oven for 10 minutes. Line a nine-inch square pan with pieces of wax paper, with extra to fold over bars. Lightly grease paper. In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, and next three ingredients. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, oil or butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir together quickly. Pour oat mixture into pan and flatten down with a spatula. Fold edges of wax paper over to cover the mixture and press down. Cool for three hours, then turn out onto cutting board, peel off paper, and cut into bars.
