No Bake Energy Bars

This recipe is a repost from my other blog Heather's Sweets and Treats, but it is too good not to share here.  These bars are easy to make and pack in enough calories and energy to last you several hours on the trail.  So far, we have used them for two different backpacking trips.  

They are flexible enough they don't get easily broken and can easily be tucked into your pocket or tossed into the lid of your pack.  I usually cut these into twelve bars, but it makes them pretty large.  Oftentimes, Dave and I will split one on the trail.  You can easily cut them into whatever size suits your needs.

No Bake Energy Bars

• 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup sunflower seeds 
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup flaxseed meal
• 1/2 cup wheat germ 
• 1/2 cup crisp rice cereal
• 18 pitted dates
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (if you only have Mrs. Butterworth, make it 1/2 cup honey and skip the syrup)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or dried cherries, raisins, etc.)
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (mini is important, they stick in the bars better)

Put oats in the bowl of your food processor and pulse until powdered (like flour).  Pour into a large mixing bowl.  Next, put sunflower seeds and 2 tablespoons oil into the bowl of food processor and pulse until you have made sunflower seed butter.  Pour into mixing bowl with oats.  Put dates and 1 tablespoon oil into bowl of food processor, pulse until you have made a smooth paste.  Dump into mixing bowl.  Next , to the mixing bowl, add in flaxseed meal, wheat germ, and crisp rice cereal.  Mix all to combine.  

In a microwave safe bowl, pour in honey and maple syrup.  Microwave for about 30-40 seconds.  This makes everything a little more liquidy.  Pour into granola mixture.  Stir to combine.  Finally, mix in dried cranberries and chocolate chips.  

Line a 9x9 pan with parchment paper.  Dump granola bar mixture into the bowl.  Press firmly and evenly into the pan.  I usually just use the palm of my hand, but a clean drinking glass also works.  Allow to sit for an hour or two.  Cut bars to desired size, wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze or eat immediately.