Homemade Healthy Granola Bars

I've been wanting to try and make a granola bar that is made of healthy items with no preservatives. Here is my first try:

Add all these dry ingredients and mix together :

1 1/4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
2/3 cup shredded coconut
2  Tbsp ground flax seed
1/8 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/8 cup slivered almonds.
Optional - dried fruit - including chopped dates, apricots, raisins - I used dried tart cherries. I found the sweetness of the cherries made it so I could use less sweetener.

Then add:

1/2 cup applesauce
2 Tbsp cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix well, if it is too dry add a little honey or a little applesauce until it is slightly sticky

     Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray Pam on bottom of 9x13 inch pan. Press mixture into pan. Bake at 325 F for about 20 minutes.  Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.
Makes 12 bars.

They were so yummy!