Peanut Energy Bars

Peanut Energy Bars

This recipe is a winner. I found it in the July/August issue of Eating Well Magazine (www.eatingwell.com) . It is a great summer treat to make with the kids, take on a hike, or grab for a quick healthy breakfast.
Peanut Energy Bars
½ cup dry roasted peanuts
½ cup roasted sunflower seeds or any other nuts, chopped
2 cups raisins or any dried fruit
2 cups toasted rice cereal
¼ cups toasted wheat germ (optional)
½ peanut butter, natural preferred
½ packed brown sugar
½ cup light corn syrup or honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Coat a 9 X 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Combine peanuts and other nuts with dried fruit, oats, cereal and wheat germ in a large bowl. Combine peanut butter, brown sugar, syrup or honey in large microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high until bubbling (this gets extremely hot-an adult should do this step). Stir peanut butter mix until blended. Add vanilla and pour over cereal nut mix. Gently stir until well coated. Transfer to baking pan and press firmly. I like to use the back of a measuring cup for this but you can coat your fingers with oil and press. Let stand for one hour to harden and cut into 16 pieces. You can wrap individual servings in plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze for later use. It recommends using salted peanuts but I used unsalted as I used regular peanut butter which contains salt. Peg