Easy, Tasty Energy Bars

• 3 cups puffed whole grain cereal (see directions)
• 12 cup nuts (see note below)
• 38 cup dried fruit
• 14 cup honey (or agave syrup)
• 14 cup rice syrup, brown rice is preferable
• 13 cup creamy peanut butter (any nut butter will work)
• 12 cup mini chocolate chip

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Coat 9-inch square metal baking pan with cooking spray, margarine or butter.
3. Mix cereal, nuts and dried fruit in medium bowl.
4. Combine nut butter, agave & brown rice syrup in heavy small saucepan.
5. Bring to boil, whisking constantly until mixture bubbles vigorously and thickens slightly, about 1 minute BURNS EASILY, EVEN WHEN STIRRED NON-STOP.
6. Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal mixture in bowl; stir to blend.
7. Transfer mixture to prepared pan; press to compact.
8. Bake until just golden around edges, about 8-10 minutes.
9. Cool completely.
10. Cut into bars with a serrated knife.
11. Store in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature.
12. NOTE: I prefer when the puffed cereal is substituted with (Trader) Joes Os and some Raisin Bran.
13. In place of nuts and fruit, I used Trader Joes Tempting Trail Mix and another variety, plus added dried tart cherries, coconut, and sesame seeds.
14. DOUBLE THE RECIPE and bake in a 9x13" pan for 12-15 minutes for a family of three or more.
15. Everyone will love these and you'll be making them all the time because they are better and far less expensive than any brand name version.

cereal, nuts, honey, rice syrup, peanut butter, chocolate chip

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/easy-tasty-energy-bars-417363 (may not work)