Maple Granola Bars

• Butter for pan
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup cake flour
• 2 tablespoons wheat germ
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped & toasted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup maple sugar
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup maple syrup (preferably dark syrup for its robust flavour)
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons butter, melted & cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 180 °C (350° F).
2. Line a 23×33-cm (9×13-in) baking pan with foil. Butter foil.
3. In a large bowl combine oats, flour, wheat germ, pecans, salt, maple sugar, cranberries and cinnamon.
4. In a small bowl whisk eggs well. Add maple syrup, melted butter and vanilla and whisk until well combined.
5. Pour egg mixture into dry ingredients and mix gently until moistened. Do not overmix.
6. Press into prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes or until set. Allow to cool completely and cut into bars.