Teddy Bear Day Care – Ypsilanti

As we were planning for the 2011-2012 school year, we decided that we need to take a less-conventional approach to our snack plans. While there have been some pretty major fails (Broccoli-carrot salad, which sparked the petition from the school kids below), all in all the students have enjoyed the change.

I wanted to share the recipe for today’s morning snack for a couple of reasons. First of all, the students really seemed to enjoy it. Secondly, it’s super easy and can be done at home! Granola and cereal bars can be deceivingly healthy, containing hydrogenated fat, high fructose corn syrup, and lots of sodium. This recipe is a great way to control what’s going into the bars, and therefore avoiding the unhealthy ingredients.

Homemade Cereal Bar Recipe

1 cup nut butter (crunch peanut butter is good)

1 cup honey

1/2 cup brown sugar

5 cups cereal (we used O’s)

Any other dried fruit, nuts, shredded coconut, seeds, granola, oats, wheat germ, vanilla extract, etc.

Combine peanut butter, honey, and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly while bringing ingredients to a boil. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in cereal and other ingredients. Press the mixture into a baking dish (like Rice Krispie treats), and cool for about fifteen minutes before cutting into bars.