Power Bars

This is a great recipe for power bars that are edible, nutritious and taste really good (I promise, they DO NOT taste like cardboard--I can barely choke down a real store-bought power bar).

POWER BARS

1 c. oats
1/2 c. sesame seeds
1 1/2 c. dried apricots, chopped
1 1/2 c. craisins
1 c. flaked coconut
1 c. chopped almonds
1/2 c. nonfat powdered milk
1/2 c. toasted wheat germ
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. apple sauce
2 T. butter
1 1/4 c. peanut butter (chunky)
1 t. vanilla
1 package chocolate chips (or less/omit if you want healthier)

*toast oats, sesame seeds and wheat germ (I heat a dry frying pan and stir everything in it until lightly browned, or you can put it all on a cookie sheet in a 300 over for 15 minutes or so). Combine all ingredients through the wheat germ in a large bowl. Mix the brown sugar through the peanut butter in a sauce pan, heat to a rolling boil (stirring often), add vanilla and then pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients. Mixed until well combined, then spread on a cookie sheet. Cover your hand with waxed paper and press the mixture out until it is the thickness you want (I usually leave a 3" strip bare on the end of the pan so the bars can be a bit thicker). Sprinkle chocolate chips on top, put in a 300 oven for 15 minutes or so until the chocolate chips are spreadable. Spread the chocolate evenly over the bars, then chill until solid. Cut the bars into granola bar size, wrap individually with foil, then throw in a freezer bag and freeze. They take only 5 minutes or so to thaw so it is the perfect snack to grab on the go. Enjoy!!!