Rosie's Golden Graham Snack Bars

Hi all:

It seems I am always having cravings for something and when that craving hits, watch out! I have to have it, find it in a store or make it and eat it. It becomes so compelling, I have to figure out a way to have it, right then and there. Does anyone else get these cravings? Anyways, I don't really like store-bought snack bars - you know the kind; oats, chocolate chips, frosting, fruit etc. etc. etc...... They are just too sweet for my liking and I always feel guilty eating them because eating 1 just isn't satisfying enough and I would NEVER eat 2, so I wanted something a little more substantial and satisfying that just might be a little (only a little) healthy.  Enter my new recipe for Rosie's Golden Graham Snack Bars.

I intended to use broken up pieces of Graham crackers (I am sure that would also work) but I opted for Golden Graham cereal instead. It just seemed a little easier. Yeah, maybe it's not the healthiest option, but these bars are fantastic and just maybe, you might overlook that too! (You could try adding some quick oats in place of some of the cereal. It would add some fibre and cut down on the sugar)

Here is the recipe in all it's delicious Golden Graham Glory!

Rosie's Golden Graham Snack Bars

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1/4 c. Margarine or butter

1 large package miniature marshmallows (about 8 cups?)

8 cups Golden Graham cereal

1/4 c. Milk chocolate chips

Approx. 1/2 package regular Craisins

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Approx. 3 handfuls of cashews

Approx. 3 handfuls of raw pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds(I forgot to add these to this batch)

You make these like Rice Crispie Squares, so in a large Dutch oven or saucepan, melt the butter and add all the marshmallows. Stir on med/low heat until all the marshmallows are melted. Remove them from heat and add the vanilla and the chocolate chips. You now have a whole heap of ooey, gooey chocolately goodness in that saucepan. Don't be tempted to take a spoon and sample it!

Stir in all the Golden Graham cereal, the Craisins and the cashews. Stir quickly, as once the mixture cools, it gets really sticky and is harder to spread.

Spread this mixture into a large, greased baking pan or casserole dish (Approx.9x13).  Let cool and cut into squares. I guarantee this will be a hit and best of all, your kids will love them for their school lunches. You never have to buy those expensive snack bars again! Sure, my recipe maybe isn't the healthiest thing on this planet, but your kids are getting vitamin C from the Craisins and lots of protein from the cashews and vitamins from the pumpkin seeds and YOU control the ingredients.  

This recipe would also work well with almonds, or pecans (you know everyone is talking about eating some type of nut every day for heart health). Oh, I just thought of something I forgot to put into the recipe!  I was planning on putting shelled pumpkin seeds in it as well, to ramp up the "healthy" factor. (You know we live our pumpkin seeds here in this household). That would make them even better and healthier. You can buy them in bulk in specialty stores or even in your local grocery store.

Give this recipe a try. The chocolate chips temper the sweetness of the marshmallows and make these very delicious.

Happy days.

Rosie