Homemade Clif Bars (No Bake!)

I made these energy bars for our road trip to West Virginia this past weekend. They were dynamite! These were like pimped-out rice crispy treats, with lots of wholesome ingredients. I think kids would really like these too.

Homemade Clif Bars (see original recipe and variations here at the Enlightened Cooking blog)
Makes 16 bars (3 WeightWatchers pointsplus value per bar)

• 1 and 1/4 cups crisp rice cereal
• 1 cup uncooked quick-cooking oats
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (flaxseed meal)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped dried fruit (e.g., raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, etc.) (Note: I omitted this)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts or seeds (pepitas are great)
• 1/3 cup brown rice syrup
• 1/2 cup nut butter (preferably natural, well-stirred, but creamy is fine, too)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine the rice cereal, oats, flaxseed meal, and nuts in a large bowl.

Combine the syrup and nut butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until melted and well blended (alternatively microwave in small microwave-safe bowl 30-60 seconds until melted). Stir in vanilla until blended.

Pour nut butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until coated (use a wooden spoon at first, then mix with your hands). Press mixture firmly into a greased 8-inch square pan using a large square of wax paper (really tamp it down). Cool in pan on a wire rack and chill at least 30 minutes to help it set. Cut into 16 bars. (Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator).