Homemade, Healthy Granola Bars

If you're anything like me, you use road tripping as an excuse to pig out on junk food. I generally pick up beef jerky and mini powdered sugar doughnuts to power me through a long drive; incredibly nutritious, and also possible to eat with your hands, no utensils necessary. I know, I know, I should make the effort and cut up apples and pack up grapes and maybe even fat-free cheese to munch on.
As I was perusing Smitten Kitchen yesterday (something one should never do unless in close proximity to a kitchen to promptly make everything she lists), I stumbled upon these homemade granola bars. They're easy, don't require utensils, and gasp! are moderately healthy! There's no egg to bind it, a modest amount of sugar, dried fruits and nuts, and even oatmeal! Everything is held together with peanut butter (YUM), a bit of honey, and a dab of corn syrup. I made them for the driving portion of our weekend, and couldn't stop eating them even before they had baked. Seriously, if you need something healthy and handheld, you've got to make these bars. Infinitely better than those prepackaged granola sugarbombs.
(Says the girl who relies on powdered sugar doughnuts for energy.)

Homemade, Healthy Granola Bars (adapted from Smitten Kitchen)
1 2/3 c. quick rolled oats
1/2 c. granulated sugar (use more for a sweetness akin to most purchased bars; use less for a mildly sweet bar)
1/3 c. oat flour (or 1/3 cup oats, processed till finely ground in a food processor or blender)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 to 3 c. dried fruits and nuts (I used 1 c. chopped walnuts, 1 c. chopped almonds, 1 c. dried cranberries)
1/3 c. peanut butter or another nut butter
6 Tbsp. melted butter
1/4 c. honey, maple syrup or corn syrup (I used honey)
2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
1 Tbsp. water
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8 pan in one direction with parchment paper, allowing it to go up the opposing sides. Lightly grease the parchment paper and the exposed pan.
2. Combine all the dry ingredients, including the fruit and nuts. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, liquid sweeteners and water. Add peanut butter and toss the wet ingredients with the dry until the mixture is evenly crumbly. Spread in the prepared pan, and press down firmly so everything molds to the pan.
3. Bake the bars for 30 to 40 minutes, until they’re brown around the edges. They’ll still seem soft when you press into the center of the pan but don't worry, they’ll set completely once completely cool.
4. Cool the bars in their pan completely on a cooling rack. If you'd like, you can move them into the fridge to cool after 20 minutes.
5. Once cool, use a serrated knife to cut the bars into squares. Store in an airtight container. In humid weather, it’s best to store bars in the refrigerator. They also freeze well.