Wednesday, July 6, 2011

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).

4 comments:

  1. these sound great, and i love how you used the phrase "pimped out" lol...

    but 1 question - is there a way to get the rice crispy without buying cereal from the store? I think crisped rice products at the store are loaded with chemical additives and preservatives to extend shelf life. i have no idea how to "puff rice" - any idea you do?

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  2. Those look fantastic! And I love that they're no-cook...who wants to turn on the oven in July? Well I do anyways, but still. :) Will definitely make these!

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  3. I just checked my box of Trader Joe's crisp rice cereal. It says it has "no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives." I couldn't find the ingredient list online to post though.

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  4. Great idea. I stopped eating those things with their uber-ingredient lists, but I do like them.

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