Plum Kooky Peanut Bars

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Kari's Plum Kooky Peanut Bars
12 bars

Great for lunchbox or snack or breakfast on the run.

1 cup oats
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
2 Tbsp wheat germ
1 cup Rice Krispies (or other puffed crisp cereal)
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped prunes (about 14)
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp turbinado sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
2 Tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 375. Spray 8x8 glass pan with cooking spray or line with parchment.

Spread oats, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and wheat germ on rimmed baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, stirring halfway through, til toasty. Transfer to large bowl. Add Rice Krispies, peanuts, raisins and prunes. Toss together.

In a small bowl or 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup, combine peanut butter, honey, turbinado sugar; microwave a minute or til bubbly. Add cocoa, water, vanilla and sea salt. Mix well.

Pour cocoa mixture over oat mixture and mix thoroughly until all moistened. Transfer to prepared pan and press firmly and evenly (placing a piece of parchment paper over mixture is helpful). Chill in refrigerator an hour or so.

Flip bar out onto cutting board and cut into 12 bars--cut in half, then cut each half in thirds, and cut each third in half. Wrap bars individually in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator.

Per Bar: 211 calories, 7g fat, 97mg sodium, 4g fiber, 35g carb, 17g sugars, 6g protein