Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Makes 16
4 1⁄2 ounces pitted dates
4 tablespoons (1⁄2 stick) butter
1⁄4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1⁄4 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey
3⁄4 cup crunchy salted peanut butter 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups crispy rice cereal
1⁄2 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts
1⁄2 cup chopped pecans
1⁄4 cup flax meal
Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 15 minutes. Total time: 30 minutes.
Line a 13-by-9-inch pan with aluminum foil with 2 inches overhang on either side; coat aluminum foil with vegetable oil spray.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place pitted dates in bowl of a food processor and pulse until dates form a paste and mixture comes together in a ball.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add sugar, molasses, honey and peanut butter and whisk to combine. Remove from heat.
In a large bowl, combine oats, rice cereal, peanuts, pecans and flax meal. Pour butter mixture over oat mixture and mix until dry ingredients are evenly coated.
Transfer mixture to prepared pan and press firmly, using a flat-bottomed glass, into an even layer. Bake bars in preheated oven 15 to 18 minutes or until just brown around the edges. Let cool.
Once cool, lift uncut bars using aluminum foil overhang and place onto a cutting board. Remove aluminum foil. Using a large, sharp knife, cut into 16 bars. Store in a sealed container up to a week in the refrigerator.
Per serving: 265 calories, 30g carbohydrate, 6.5g protein, 15g fat (3.5g saturated), 89mg sodium, 4g fiber.