Breakfast has always been a less-than-enjoyable task: it comes early in the morning, when you'd really rather be sitting, waking up, maybe enjoying a cup of coffee; kids and spouses are probably going to be less-than-excited about it because it means they too have had to get out of their warm beds and get ready to face the day; and you know you read somewhere (here, maybe?) that breakfast is an important meal of the day and should be well-balanced.
Relax! This is an easy option. You probably have all of the ingredients in your cupboard, and if not, substitutions are welcome. Include what you like, skip what you don't.
This is a good option for a snack, too, if that's what you're looking for.
These are easier to cut when chilled, but even when they warm a bit (and are admittedly a bit more crumbly), they still taste great.
Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Servings: 8 - 10
Ingredients
5 cups bran flakes (you can actually use any type of flake cereal here; obviously, the bran-er it is, the more fiber it will have and thus be more filling)
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried fruit (the tangier the better, so suggestions might be lightly sweetened cranberries or dried tart cherries)
1/3 sweetened coconut flakes
1 cup Smooth or chunky peanut butter
1/4 cup semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
Directions
Line an 8-inch square pan with foil or parchment paper and spray some cooking oil on it; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the cereal, white chocolate chips, dried fruit and coconut.
Combine the peanut butter and chocolate chips in a microwavable bowl and heat for about 45 seconds to 1 minute until warm and slightly more liquid.
Pour the peanut butter mixture over cereal mixture. Mix the cereal well and then press the mixture firmly in the pan.
Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours or overnight. Cut into bars. For storage, wrap well and store in the fridge, or freezer.
Enjoy!
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