Energy Bars

by Sue Heim
(San Diego)

I make these bars every time my health club has a pot luck event. In fact, I'm instructed that's all I can bring. These are very easy to make and very healthy. They are also very forgiving... you can substitute a lot of the ingredients around. If you don't like raisins, use dried cranberries or cherries. The bright color and sweetness of the cherries makes a nice counterpoint to the bland colors of the nuts and cereal, and a nice complement to the peanutty flavor.


Crispy Energy Bars
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2 cups crisped rice cereal
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup shelled, roasted, unsalted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup shelled, roasted, unsalted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1/2 cup roasted, unsalted soy nuts
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla

Spray a 13"x9" pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the pan with foil leaving excess hanging over the edges (to make removing the bars easier). In large bowl, mix cereal, oats, raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and soy nuts.

In medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and peanut butter. Cook over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over cereal mixture and stir to combine.

Press into prepared pan; cool completely. Cut into 24 bars.

PER BAR: 155 calories, 6.5 gr total fat (1 gr sat fat), 5.5 gr protein, 21 gr carbohydrates, 0 mg cholesterol, 80 mg sodium, 2.5 gr fiber