Peanut Energy Bars

Ingredients

• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups toasted rice cereal
• 2 cups packed raisins
• 1/2 cup sunflower kernels
• 4 oz dry roasted peanuts
• 1/2 cup peanut butter, natural
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup wheat germ, toasted

Directions

1. Coat 9 x 13" baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Combine peanuts, sunflower seeds (or other nuts), raisins (or other dried fruit), oats, rice cereal, and wheat germ in a large bowl.
3. Combine peanut butter, brown sugar and corn syrup (or honey) in a large microwavable bowl; microwave on high until bubbly, 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Add vanilla and stir until blended. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until coated.
5. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Press down firmly (coat your fingers with cooking spray, if needed).
6. Let stand for 1 hour to harden. Cut into bars.
7. You can add anything you have on hand, such as unsweetened coconut, mini semi-sweet chips in lieu of the brown sugar, etc.
8. Note: based on a recipe from WebMD.