Whitney’s Everything Energy Bars

I used to live in Columbia, Missouri, where I frequented the Saturday morning farmers’ market. I’d usually show up after a long run, which meant I was hungry. Really hungry. And I discovered there was nothing more satisfying after pounding the pavement for a dozen-plus miles than a huge (I’m actually embarrassed to admit how huge) helping of watermelon, followed soon thereafter by a granola bar from local Uprise Bakery. These $2.50 chunks of goodness were an amazing blend of peanut butter, chocolate chips, oats, honey, cranberries, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and a few other ingredients that I could never seem to recreate in my own kitchen.

Until recently. Moving to New Mexico meant no more Uprise, so I took matters into my own hands. Literally.  Months later, I give you Whitney’s Everything Energy Bars, which—I think—are even better than their inspiration. Enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup sesame seeds
• 1 cup chopped pecans           
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds
• ½ cup ground flax seeds
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 2 cups smooth, natural peanut butter
• 1 cup honey
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. salt 
   

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the first nine ingredients (sunflower seeds through cranberries).
3. In a large sauce pan, combine peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt.
4. Stir over medium heat until smooth.
5. Remove from stove. Pour dry ingredients into peanut butter mixture and mix thoroughly.
6. Pour mixture into a 9×13 baking pan.
7. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
8. Cool completely and cut into 16 bars.

Nutritional Information:
568 calories, 39 grams fat, 15 grams protein.

Whitney Dreier is the assistant editor for Outside’s winter Buyer’s Guide.