Coconut Almond Cereal Bars

Each week when I do my grocery shopping, I load up on Kind Bars, Larabars, Luna Bars, etc.  The husband eats at least one a day at work, as do I, plus we snack on them at home.  I love all of the above listed brands, but I don't always loving paying for them.

Often times Hy-Vee will have Larabars 10/$10 special, but more often than not I'm shelling out at least $1.49 a bar.  When you are buying many at a time it tends to get expensive.

So...I made my own.

I used to always stick to this granola bar recipe, but tried a new one out last week as it is gluten free and much healthier.  The problem still is, I cannot keep them stocked in our house.  All eight bars were gone within two and half days.  But that is a different issue for a different post.

Coconut Almond Cereal Bars
4 c. crushed Rice Chex cereal
1 c. almonds, chopped
1/2 c. unsweetened coconut
1/4 c. flax seed
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. peanut or almond butter
1 t. vanilla
2 c. marshmallows

In a large bowl combine cereal, almonds, coconut, and flax seed.  In microwavable bowl, combine honey, peanut butter, vanilla and marshmallows.  Heat in microwave in 45 seconds increments until all is melted and combined.

Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, working quickly, as the mixture will get sticky.  Spray a 8x8 baking pan and with greased fingers, push mixture down into pan until all is flat.

Put in the refrigerator for at least one hour (at most overnight) to allow the bars to harden.  Cut into bars, wrap in plastic wrap and enjoy.  Bars will stay fresh for 4-5 days (if they last that long).

What product do you spend a fortune on at the grocery store, but are willing to because you cannot live without it?

At our house?

Heinz Ketchup (the all-natural kind)
Milk
Meat (hamburger, chicken, pork, lunch meat - it never ends)
Good quality cheeses
Fresh produce