Homemade Clif Bars

These are soooo yummy and the only fat is peanut butter and the only sugar is honey, so they make a great guilt free snack.

2 1/2 c. rice krispies
2 c. oatmeal
4 T. flaxseed or ground flax (this makes it healthier, but if you don't have it, you can leave it out)
1/2 c. chopped dried fruit
1/2 c. chopped nuts and/or seeds
1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. molasses
1 c. peanut butter
2 t. vanilla
1 t. cinnamon

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

Combine the honey 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 peanut butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until coated (use a wooden spoon at first, then get your hands in it. It will be sticky, but this way you can really coat everything. Just scrape off your hands when you're done). Press mixture firmly into an 9 x 13 pan (sprayed with nonstick cooking spray) using a large square of wax paper (really tap it down). Cool in pan on a wire rack and chill at least 30 minutes to help it set. Cut into 12 bars. (Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator).

Variations:
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Replace the dried fruit with an equal amount of semisweet miniature chocolate chips (or carob chips). Combine the cereal mixture with the pb mixture, then let the combined mixture stand 10 minutes before adding the chips.

Pepita-Cranberry
Use chopped cranberries for the dried fruit and raw pepitas for the nuts/seeds. Use either honey or brown rice syrup.

Peanut Butter Cookie
Use chopped dates for the dried fruit and dry roasted peanuts for the nuts. Use honey, or half honey-half molasses for the syrup and peanut butter for the nut butter.

Will You Cherry Me?
Use chopped dried tart cherries for the fruit and lightly salted roasted almonds for the nuts. Use any nut butter (almond butter is great, but I know, a bit pricey--but worth it!), and add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract