Power Bars: High Energy & Homemade! | Food

Power Bars (printable recipe)

Leave the power bars on the shelf—my homemade rendition is packed with high energy, protein-rich ingredients that will keep you energized for hours. Better, the bars cost a fraction of the premade varieties, and are incredibly delicious.

9-inch square baking pan, lined with foil, sprayed with nonstick cooking spray
Makes 16 bars

2-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup flaxseed meal (ground flaxseeds)
1/2 cup dried nonfat milk or soy powder
1/2 cup dried cherries, blueberries, or other dried fruit, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup lightly salted roasted almonds (or other roasted or toasted nuts or seeds)
1 cup nut or seed butter
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt

1. In a large bowl mix the oats, flaxseed meal, milk powder, dried fruit and nuts.
2. Place the nut butter, honey  in a large heavy saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly, melted and smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, cinnamon and salt.
3. Pour nut butter mixture over oat mixture, stirring until well blended.
4. Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Using a large square of wax paper or foil, very firmly press mixture down into pan to compact. Cool completely. Remove bars using foil overhang and then cut into 16 bars or squares. Tightly wrap each bar in plastic wrap. Store the wrapped bars in a plastic zip-top bag in the refrigerator.