Snack Time...

Here are a couple of snack homeades that some friends shared with me...

Homemade Granola Bars

 

From Carie Facenda     Hartsville, SC

2 c. rolled oats
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. wheat germ
2-3 T. flax seed
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. dried fruit or chocolate chips
3/4 tsp. salt (I omitted this the second batch and didn't notice a difference)
1/2 c. honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. oil
2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Generously grease a 9x13 pan. In a large bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, flax seed, cinnamon, flour, dried fruit, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in honey, egg, oil, and vanilla. Mix well. Pat mixture evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bars begin to brown at the edges. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Cut into bars while still warm. ENJOY!

Cheerios Energy Bars

From Annie Nation     Easley, SC

4 cups cheerios (you can use any type but with the other sugar I chose regular)
1 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted (I use pecans, or peanuts...any nut will do)
1/3 cup roasted unsalted sunflower nuts (not everyone like these so sometimes I omit)
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla

DIRECTIONS:
Spray 9-inch square pan with cooking spray (I sometimes use a little bigger pan). In large bowl mix cereal, cranberries, almonds, and sunflower nuts.
In a sauce pan heat corn syrup, brown sugar, and peanut butter to boiling over med-high heat, stirring constantly. Boil & stir 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.
Pour syrup over cereal mixture, toss to coat. Press firmly in pan. Cool completely about 30 minutes. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.

Each bar has 3.5 g fat; 110 cal; 55 mg sodium; 18g carbs