Cherry and Chocolate Energy Bars

• 223 cups puffed wheat cereal unsweetened
• 1/2 cup pecan halves chopped medium-fine
• 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) salted and roasted
• 1/4 cup cherries, dried or dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 18 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips prefer bittersweet, or finely chopped bittersweet chocolate

1. Position a rack in lower third of oven, preheat to 300AF.
2. Line an 8-inch-square pan with parchment paper, allowing it to overhang on two opposite sides.
3. Mix together cereal, pecans, pepitas, cherries (or cranberries), sesame seeds and ground flaxseeds in a large bowl.
4. Add honey, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan.
5. Warm over medium heat, stirring, until the honey is more fluid and the salt is dissolved.
6. Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and fold until everything is moistened and sticky.
7. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
8. Fold in chips (or chopped chocolate) until evenly distributed.
9. Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a fork.
10. Using the back of the spoon or fork, press the mixture very firmly all over.
11. (Alternatively, cover with parchment paper and press firmly all over.)
12. Bake until the top is golden brown, 35 to 38 minutes, do not let the honey burn.
13. Run a knife along the unlined sides of the pan to detach the bars.
14. Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack to room temperature, about 1 hour.
15. Use the ends of the parchment to lift the bars from the pan.
16. Gently remove the parchment.
17. Cut into 16 squares.
18. Serve or store at an air-tight container.

puffed wheat cereal, pecan, pepitas, cherries, sesame seeds, ground flax, honey, vanilla, salt, chocolate chips

Taken from recipeland.com/recipe/v/cherry-chocolate-energy-bars-51739 (may not work)