Cheerio Bars

The nights are getting later. Study spaces are getting more crowded. Levels of stress are running high. Mid-semester exams are drawing nearer but they bring with them an opportunity for a new "brain food" recipe. Cheerio bars are a great alternative to the standard vending machine fare of cookies, candy, and chips. Although several of the ingredients do contain considerable amounts of sugar, the protein-packed peanuts and peanut butter, the whole grain oat cereal, and the antioxidant-rich raisins, will help to give you the more lasting energy that you need. Cheerio bars are a simple, no-bake recipe that will supply you with enough brain food to even share with a friend or study buddy. Stop by Varsity Morgan, Varsity Towers, or Varsity Marketplace (there is a $2.99 Marketplace Special on General Mills and Kellogg's brand cereals this week!) for the ingredients and in less than than a half hour, you will have a pan of energy-boosting yet tasty goodness. Based upon the calculated cost per serving of each ingredient, these bars will cost you $9.81 or $0.49 per bar. This cost does not include the cost of cooking spray. 

Cheerio Bars

Yield: 20 bars
Total Cost: $9.81 (does not include cost of cooking spray)

• 5 cups Cheerios cereal
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 3/4 cup salted peanuts
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• cooking spray

In a large bowl, combine Cheerios, raisins, and peanuts. Set aside.

Bring sugar and honey to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat, making sure to stir constantly. Remove saucepan from heat once the mixture boils and the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the peanut butter until well blended.

Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly coated.

Spread mixture into a 9 x 13-inch pan that has been prepared with cooking spray. Melt chocolate chips by placing in microwave-safe bowl and microwaving on high power until just melted. Remove and stir until blended. Drizzle over mixture.

Allow bars to cool by placing pan in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. Remove and cut into 16 bars.

Reviews 
"Needs more sauce. I think it will hold together better and seem more like a true "bar"."
"Mine has raisins."