Homemade Clif Bars

recipe slightly adapted from Enlightened Cooking

My husband loves Clif Bars, but they can be sooo expensive!  So, I set out on a mission to find a recipe to make our own and found this!  It is very good and has several variations to try different kinds.  Hope you like them!

1 1/4 cups crisp rice cereal (Erwhon Crisp Brown, Brown Rice Krispies or regular Rice Krispies are fine)

1 cup uncooked quick-cooking oats (I use regular rolled oats and they turn out fine, although you may need to add a little more brown rice syrup to hold them together better if you do)

2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed (I buy the big bag from Costco and use the flaxseed in these bars and in our green smoothies)

1/4 cup finely chopped dried fruit (raisins, Craisins, dried cherries, dates, etc.)

1/3 cup brown rice syrup or honey

1/2 cup nut butter (I use the natural creamy Kirkland peanut butter, but almond butter or another nut butter would also be delicious)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

Combine the rice cereal, oats, flaxseed meal, dried fruit, and nuts in a large bowl.  Combine the syrup and nut butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until melted and well-blended, or microwave for 20-60 seconds until melted.  Stir in vanilla until blended.  

Pour nut butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until coated.  Then you've got to continue to mix with your hands until everything is combined very well.  Press mixture firmly into an 8-inch square pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  Continue to press down until you have a very firm layer.  Cool in pan and chill at least 30 minutes to help the mixture set.  Cut into bars, wrap bars in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator.