Homemade Energy Bars #1

Green Girl Goodies, February 2012

2 tb Vegetable Oil
3 c EnviroKidz Koala Crisp (Chocolate Brown Rice Puff Cereal)*
1 ½ c Dried Cranberries
½ c Sliced Almonds
½ c Coconut Flakes, sweetened
4 tb Flax Seed, Ground (Flax Seed Meal)
1 c Honey
1/3 c Crunchy Peanut Butter
1/3 c Creamy Peanut Butter
¼ tsp Sea Salt

- Preheat the oven to 350.
- Place the cereal, cranberries, almonds, coconut and ground flax in a large bowl.

- Heat the honey, both types of peanut butter and the salt over medium heat until smooth.

- Pour the heated mixture over the ingredients in the bowl and stir to mix well.

- Using a paper towel spread the vegetable oil evenly over a metal baking sheet.

- Dump the energy bar mixture onto the greased cookie sheet.

- Spread the mixture into an even layer approximately 3/4” thick.

- Place the bars into the preheated oven. Cook for 5 minutes, then rotate the pan.

- Cook for approximately 5 more minutes or until golden brown around the edges and slightly darker than the original color.  The bars should feel mostly firm to the touch.  Let them cool before cutting as the sugars need to harden slightly or the bars with crumble.

- Cut the bars into the desired size. Depending on the sweetness of the peanut butter you use, the bars can be very rich and sweet.

- Wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator or freezer. The bars can be eaten right away but will set better once chilled and are best eaten straight from the fridge or 5 to 10 minutes after pulled from the freezer. They can be stored properly refrigerated or frozen for up to 3 months.

*Available at Trader Joe’s

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