Directions

1. Spray an 8 x 8” pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Pour the oats into a medium-size skillet and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats become fragrant and begin to brown. Pour the oats into the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the rice cereal, walnuts, apples, flax seed, and cherries. Mix briefly to combine. Return the skillet to medium heat and add the coconut oil, honey, and brown sugar to the pan. Whisk constantly.
2. Once the mixture comes to a vigorous boil, set a timer for 2 minutes, and whisk constantly. When the timer sounds, add the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and salt. Cook for 30 seconds, whisking constantly, and then immediately remove from the heat. Turn the stand mixer on low and carefully pour the hot cinnamon syrup into the mixer, scraping the pan with a rubber spatula. Mix the granola bars just until you see everything coming together evenly and then quickly turn off the mixer.
3. (Note: Over mixing will result in all the grains breaking, absorbing more syrup and ultimately having a drier granola bar) Pour the granola mixture into the prepared pan and tamp it down using a bench scraper, small plate or your hands. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. While the granola bars are still slightly warm, cut the granola bars into your desired shape while still leaving them in the pan. Allow to cool fully, then wrap individually and store.