Cranberry Orange Granola

I heart granola! But looking at the label is sometimes frustrating. There's a lot of things in a store-bought granola that I'd rather not consume. Plus, nothing tastes as good as homemade, right? So here's my version of granola bars, after trying out a few recipes I've found online. So far this is my favorite.

Enjoy!

Cranberry Orange Granola

1/2 cup dates, pitted & chopped
1 cup walnuts (could substitute almonds or pecans)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp orange extract
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup dried cranberries (could substitute apricots)
1/2 cup oats
3 cups puffed rice cereal (not Rice Krispies!)
1 14-oz can fat free sweetened condensed milk

In food processor, blend dates, walnuts, vanilla & orange extracts into coarse crumbs. In large bowl, combine walnut mixture, pumpkin seeds, cranberries and oats. Then stir in rice cereal, followed by the milk. (This order is just to help everything get combined evenly.) Line 9x13 pan with lightly greased parchment. Don't skip this step, or you'll have trouble getting them out! Pour granola mixture into the pan, pressing down with greased hands or another piece of parchment. Press into the corners so that it is evenly distributed and pressed into bars. Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes, until golden. Do not try to remove or cut them until completely cooled! Once cooled, lift out of the pan by the corners of the parchment and cut into 12 bars.