Energy Bars (Or in My Case, Coffee Treats)

I recently discovered an old recipe from a homemaking magazine, that has quickly become a favorite.  Got 15 minutes?  You've got time to make these from start to finish. 

It all started when I pulled out some old magazines to peruse for new recipe ideas.  This little sweet magazine used to feed the inner Caroline Ingalls in me, back when my kiddos were young.  Happy sigh.  Those were the BEST days. 

This recipe for Energy Bars from a lady in Canada, caught my eye.  Pretty healthy and quick.  So I gave it a try that very day.  We LOVED it!  Super tasty, quick, and satisfying.  Just 2 one-inch squares with coffee made me feel like I'd had a real treat.  Today I made it again (just one week later.)  So here's how it goes.

Since I like short cuts and saving energy (time and money), I didn't toast my oats in the oven, but rather 1) in a large skillet on medium-high heat for several minutes, stirring often, or 2) in the microwave for several 30-60 second cycles, stirring after each cycle.

Next you melt the butter, honey, peanut butter, and marshmallows in the same skillet (put the toasted oats on a plate til you add them later) or in a saucepan.  Stir often...it goes quickly.  For those who have peanut allergies in the family, I'm sure you could just add more marshmallows and butter and skip the peanuts and peanut butter.

Instead of a cup of peanuts, I used these 2 bags.

Add the peanuts and stir, then add the oats and stir.

Looks like this.

Grease an 8x8 pan, and press the mixure in with a silicone spatula.  The sticky mixture doesn't stick to the silicone, so it works great.  If you don't have a silicone spatula, put a plastic sandwich bag on your hand, and press it in with that hand.

And my own little addition...add a few chocolate chips on top and press them in.  Chocolate makes any sweet treat better.

And after they've had time to cool and set up a bit, cut and eat.  I told my husband to cut them small, so we can eat some 2X a day without gaining weight.  :)  That worked last week, so I'm sticking to it!

They are sooooo good.  The peanut butter, oats, and peanuts satisfy you with just a small serving.  These can be gluten free if you use oats that are not cross contanimated with wheat.  And other mixins would be good as well...such as sunflower seeds and coconut.
Enjoy!

So Blessed,

Donna