Nutritional note from Junelle Lupianai: "This bar is a perfect mid-afternoon snack to bring with you to work or for your children." The oats and cereal provide whole-grain goodness, and the nuts and seeds provide plant protein and fat. Flaxseed meal is included here for its nutritional punch, but its optional.
Ingredients
Makes 30 bars
Step 1
PREHEAT the oven to 350° F. Lightly grease an 8" by 8" baking sheet or cake pan with vegetable cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2
SPREAD the oats, nuts, and flaxseed meal on a sheet pan and bake until very light golden brown and fragrant, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
Step 3
BRING the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the 7-grain cereal; set aside until the water is absorbed, 2 minutes. Add the peanut butter and honey, stir well, and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick and glossy and pulls away from the sides of the pan, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
Step 4
SPOON the fruit and salt into the hot peanut-butter mixture and immediately pour into the bowl with the grains. With a large rubber spatula, work the peanut butter-fruit mixture into the grains until evenly coated. (The mixture will become very sticky; it may be necessary to work the mixture with your hands.)
Step 5
TRANSFER the mixture to the prepared pan, working it out to the edges with your fingers and pressing to a uniform 1/2-inch thickness. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
Step 6
CUT the cooled cake into bars measuring 1 1/2" by 1 1/4" and serve immediately, or wrap individually in plastic wrap. (The bars will keep room temperature for up to two days, and refrigerated for up yo four days.)
Nutrition Per Serving
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Reviews (2)
Back to TopI really enjoyed these! Next time I am going to try cutting down on the honey because I prefer a less sweet treat, but I loved the wholesome ingredients. I used dried cherries and apricots, which were pretty and delicious.
Anonymous
New York
5/16/2013
Finished bar was really sticky and rich, maybe a little too much. Almond butter would probably be a better taste, as well. Not too sweet -- a nice change to other bars.
mimibi
BC, Canada
4/8/2013