CRANBERRY PUMPKIN SEED ENERGY BARS RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Cranberry Pumpkin Seed Energy Bars Recipe - (4.5/5) image

Provided by á-174535

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup pecans, crushed
1 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup flaxseeds
2/3 cup muscovado or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups puffed rice cereal
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the pecans, oats, pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds on the sheet and bake until fragrant, 8 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. In a saucepan, bring the sugar, honey, butter and salt to a boil over moderate heat. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved and a light brown caramel forms, 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Drizzle the caramel all over the nut-and-oat mixture. Stir in the puffed rice and cranberries until evenly coated. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, extending the paper over the side. Scrape the cereal mixture into the dish in an even layer. Cover the mixture with a second sheet of parchment and press down to compress it. Let stand until firm, about 2 hours. Discard the top piece of parchment. Using the overhanging paper, lift out the cereal square and transfer it to a work surface. Cut into 12 bars and serve.