Pepita Protein Energy Bars Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch square glass baking dish with cooking spray. Line the bottom with a piece of parchment or waxed paper leaving a 4-inch overhang on two opposite sides and spray the paper with cooking spray.
• Put 1 cup of the rice cereal in a resealable plastic bag and crush to a fine powder with the back of the measuring cup. Combine the remaining 1 cup rice cereal, pepitas, almonds and cherries in a large bowl. Heat the rice syrup and almond butter in a small saucepan until warm and bubbling and remove from heat. Stir in the almond extract and salt, and pour into the nut mixture. Fold with a spatula until it is everything is moistened and well combined. Add the crushed rice cereal and continue to fold until evenly incorporated.
• Press the mixture very firmly and evenly into the prepared pan using the overhanging pieces of parchment to prevent sticking. Bake until beginning to brown, about 25 minutes. Cool 15 minutes on a wire rack, then press again to compact the mixture. Chill until firm but not completely set , about 45 minutes. Remove the block by the paper handles and invert onto a cutting board. Gently peel off the paper. Cut the block in half, then cut each half into 6 bars for 12 total. Refrigerate until fully set.
• Store the bars individually wrapped or layered between sheets of parchment or waxed paper in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The bars will soften up and become chewy as they come to room temperature.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Thoroughly butter a 9 x 13inch baking pan with 2inch sides and line the base with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats, flour, baking powder, and salt. Toss together with your hands, then add the melted butter and continue working with your hands until the mixture is crumbly. Pat the crust mixture evenly over the base of the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a rack.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, coconut, almonds, pepitas, and sesame seeds, and set aside. In a medium heavy saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, and butter. Over medium heat, stir together until the butter is melted. Pour the butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until evenly combined. Spread this topping over the crust base and return to a 275 degrees oven for about 20 minutes, or until the center is lightly browned and puffy.
• Cool completely. Cut across the pan lengthwise to separate into 2 long, thin sections, then cut each one into 5 equal bars, approximately 5 x 2 inches. Trim the edges to make them even.
• In the top of a double boiler, combine the chocolate and the clarified butter. Over gently simmering water, melt the chocolate, stirring. Dip the tops of the bars into the melted chocolate mixture and immediately sprinkle with one or more of the following: flaked coconut, pepitas, sesame seeds, and toasted almonds. Allow the chocolate topping to harden before serving.