Fruity Cereal Bars Food

FRUIT & NUT CEREAL BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cornflakes, apricots, peanuts, dates, coconut and sesame seeds. In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter and marshmallows; stir until smooth. Pour over cereal mixture; toss to coat. Press into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Cool. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.

FRUITY CEREAL BARS

Steps:

• Spray an 8 or 9-inch (2L) square pan with cooking spray.
• Microwave butter and marshmallows in large microwaveable bowl on High 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until smooth. Stir in cereal until coated.
• Press about 4 cups (1 L) mixture firmly in pan with dampened hands. Spread with yogurt.
• Combine dried fruit and remaining cereal mixture (if cereal mixture has become firm, microwave uncovered on High 30 seconds to soften); spread over top of yogurt.
• Press firmly with dampened hands. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until firm.
• For bars, cut into 4 rows by 3 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

FRUITY CEREAL BARS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows; cook and stir until blended. Remove from heat; stir in remaining ingredients., Press into a 13x9-in. pan coated with cooking spray; cool completely. Cut into squares.

FRUIT-FILLED OATMEAL BARS

Steps:

• In mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda.
• Cut in margarine/butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Reserve 1/2 cup of the flour mixture.
• Press remaining flour mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9x9x2 baking pan.
• Spread with desired filling.
• Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture.
• Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden.
• Cool in pan on wire rack.
• Cut into bars.
• FILLING OPTIONS:.
• ***Following cookbook's 'shortcut' suggestion of substituting 10 oz jar of preserves in place of homemade filling, I used a store-bought, very dense, low-moisture apple butter (like a thick jam). I have also tried it with blueberry preserves but the preserves were too moist--it made the bars sticky not good.***.
• RAISIN FILLING:.
• In medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Add 1 cup raisins. Cook & stir until thickened & bubbly.
• APPLE-CINNAMON FILLING:.
• Peel/core/chop 2 medium apples. In medium saucepan, combine apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a dash of ground cloves. Bring apple mixture to a boil; reduce heat & simmer 8-10 minutes or until apples are very tender.
• APRICOT-COCONUT FILLING:.
• In medium saucepan, combine 1 cup diced dried apricots and 3/4 cup water. Bring apricot mixture to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon all purpose flour. Stir into apricot mixture. Cook and stir 1 minute more or until mixture is very thick. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut.

HOMEMADE CEREAL BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• FILLING:.
• Heat fruit in a saucepan over med-low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Cook until the fruit begins to cook down and thicken, about 15 minutes.
• If the fruit is to chancy, put in a blender to puree for a few pluses then put back into the pan.
• Whisk in cornstarch and cook 5 more minutes.
• Taste fruit and if it is too sour add 1 teaspoon of sugar until it is to taste.
• Put fruit into a heat safe bowl and into the fridge until cool. About 20-30 minutes.
• You can make the fruit up to 2 days prior to using.
• CRUST:.
• Cream butter, sugar, vanilla and applesauce
• Add to flour and mix throughly.
• Place dough onto plastic wrap and form into a brick. Cut in half and wrap each in plastic wrap and chill in fridge for 20-30 minutes.
• Roll out half of the dough and transfer onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. To make it eaiser on myself, I rolled the dough out between 2 peices of parchment paper.
• Spread fruit onto dough.
• Roll out 2nd half and place on top. Press down the sides to seal them. Use an egg wash if you want to help keep sides sealed.
• Trim the edges if you want it pretty. :).
• Bake for 25-35 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Take out of pan and cool completely on cooling rack.
• Cut bars into desired size.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Use parchment paper between layers.
• Freeze remaining bars in freezer safe container or bag. Let thaw overnight in fridge.