Super Multi-Purpose Cereal Bar....

Rice Krispies Squares - or Rice Krispies Treats as they are commonly referred to in America - are a universally loved junky snack food of children, and is it really any surprise considering children are exactly who they were invented for? A little interesting history here that you may not be privy to is that Rice Krispies Squares were invented by the Home Economics Department of the Kellogg Company as a fund-raising idea for the Youth centered group Camp Fire Girls sometime in the 1920's. The treats originally consisted of Rice Krispies Cereal, melted butter, and melted marshmallows, and their sweet, sticky, yet crunchy texture was apparently an instant winner. Now I don’t know about you, but marshmallow’s to me have always tasted a bit like chalk. That’s not to say I didn’t appreciate Rice Krispies Squares as a kid, they just weren’t my favorite, and since becoming an adult I can’t recall the last time I actually ate a ‘traditional’ Rice Krispies Square.

Since the 1920's many variations on this quick and simple recipe have surfaced, and now I throw my hat into the ring with my slightly healthier, much tastier, protein packed, yet still a bit junky concoction.

Super Cereal Bar

Dry Ingredients

2C Puffed Brown Rice Cereal (I used Nature’s Path, but you can use anything, even actual rice krispies although read the ingredients list because in some countries rice krispies are vegan and in some countries they are not)
1 1/4C Rolled Oats
1/3C Ground Flaxseed
1/4C Sesame Seeds
1/4C Hemp Seeds
1/2C Dried Cherries
1/4C Sweet Cacao Nibs (Optional)
Dash Cinnamon
Smaller Dash Nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

3/4C Organic Peanut Butter
1/3C Brown Rice Syrup
1tsp Vanilla Extract
1tsp Almond Extract
1-2tsp lemon juice
1Tbsp Maple Syrup

- Toss all dry ingredients into mixing bowl and stir to combine.

- Heat a small pot over medium low heat, then add wet ingredients, stir constantly until mixture becomes smooth and warm.

- Pour wet mix into dry mix, fold in and stir until everything is combined and sticking together. ***Note you may need more wet ingredients at this point. You don’t want the mix to be wet and gooey but you do want it sticking. If it’s still dry and crumbly and there’s still a lot of loose ingredients in the bottom of the bowl add another quarter to half cup of peanut butter, and another quarter brown rice syrup to the pot with a dash of extract and lemon juice, stir till smooth and then add once more to the dry ingredients. ***

- When everything is sticking together nicely grease a square or rectangular pan, then press mixture evenly into it. Once mixture has been evenly pressed into pan, cover with parchment paper and refrigerate for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cut into squares, or desired shapes and enjoy. Will keep in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

These things are seriously good! I’m telling you, and the greatest thing about them is you can really play around with the ingredients. You could add any kind of seeds you want, you can add any dried fruit that you want, and you don’t have to use peanut butter. You could use almond, or cashew or any nut butter really.
Though I do recommend trying it my way once, as they are very, very tasty!

The other thing I love about these bars is that they can be eaten as a breakfast, a snack, or a desert. They’re perfect for if you need to bring food on a long drive, perfect to bring camping or hiking, and they’re a great ‘on the go’ food. You gotta love a treat that’s multi-purpose right?

Enjoy!!