Combine brown sugar, honey, water, butter, and salt in a large saucepan or electric frying pan.

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in rolled oats, sliced almonds, wheat germ, and sesame seeds.

Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes, or until the mixture begins to thicken.

Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Add dried cherries, raisins, and chopped pitted dates.

Stir until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Line a jelly roll pan with wax paper or parchment paper.

Pour the granola mixture into the prepared pan.

Use a spatula to press the mixture evenly into the pan.

Score deeply into bars of the desired size while the mixture is still warm.

Allow the granola bars to cool completely for about 30 minutes.

Once cooled, break the granola bars along the score lines.

Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature.