January 30: Toasted Oat Breakfast Bars

Toasted Oat Breakfast Bars

Ingredients:
8 tablespoons (4 oz) unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
4 cups toasted oat cereal
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup lightly salted or unsalted roasted peanuts

1. Line a 8-inch square pan with nonstick foil, or line it with regular foil and spray the foil with flour-added baking spray.
2. In a large, nonstick saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the salt and marshmallows and stir until the marshmallows are melted. Stir in the peanut butter and milk powder. Remove from the heat and stir in the cereal, cranberries, and peanuts. Place the mixture in the prepared pan and press down. Let cool completely in the pan, then lift from the pan, set on a cutting board, and score into 16 bars, using a large knife.

Addition of salt and marshmallows

Addition of milk powder

Addition of peanut butter

Addition of toasted oats (Cheerios), dried cranberries and peanuts

Thoughts: Another very easy recipe. There were no problems making it, however, when the bars were cooled, it was extremely difficult to cut them into easy pieces. It was very crumbly and didn't stay together very well. I thought they were very bland with a hint of sweetness from the marshmallows. Since I'm writing about this a week after, I can say when I brought them to work, they weren't a big hit. I think only 2 pieces were eaten in a week. Fail I guess?!