Pepita Bars Recipes

ALMOND CHERRY PEPITA BARS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch square glass baking dish with cooking spray. Line the bottom with a piece of parchment or waxed paper leaving a 4-inch overhang on two opposite sides and spray the paper with cooking spray.
• Put 1 cup of the rice cereal in a resealable plastic bag and crush to a fine powder with the back of the measuring cup. Combine the remaining 1 cup rice cereal, pepitas, almonds and cherries in a large bowl. Heat the rice syrup and almond butter in a small saucepan until warm and bubbling and remove from heat. Stir in the almond extract and salt, and pour into the nut mixture. Fold with a spatula until it is everything is moistened and well combined. Add the crushed rice cereal and continue to fold until evenly incorporated.
• Press the mixture very firmly and evenly into the prepared pan using the overhanging pieces of parchment to prevent sticking. Bake until beginning to brown, about 25 minutes. Cool 15 minutes on a wire rack, then press again to compact the mixture. Chill until firm but not completely set , about 45 minutes. Remove the block by the paper handles and invert onto a cutting board. Gently peel off the paper. Cut the block in half, then cut each half into 6 bars for 12 total. Refrigerate until fully set.
• Store the bars individually wrapped or layered between sheets of parchment or waxed paper in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The bars will soften up and become chewy as they come to room temperature.

FRUIT AND SEED BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• In a food processor, pulse the first 6 ingredients until finely chopped (it's ok if there are few coarsely chopped pieces).
• Add the honey and sunflower and pulse until starting to combine.
• Pour the mixture into a 9 x 9 inch pan, greased then line with parchment and press down into the pan until completely even.
• Bake for 25 minutes.
• Let the bars completely cool before cutting with a serrated knife into bars.
• Serve.

PEPITA PROTEIN ENERGY BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Crush or break almonds into big chunks.
• Mix all dry ingredients together. Spread out onto a baking tray and toast in the oven for about 5 minutes.
• Chop the cranberries and stir them inches.
• Place the dry ingredients into a large bowl and pour in molasses and honey over.
• Mix through until well combined then spread into a line baking dish, pressing down firmly.
• Bake for about 20-25mins or until golden brown.
• Allow to cool then cut into squares.
• Store in the fridge.

FAVORITE PECAN PIE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar and salt; cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 20 minutes., For filling, in a large bowl, whisk eggs, corn syrup, sugar, melted butter and vanilla. Stir in pecans. Spread over hot crust., Bake 25-30 minutes longer or until filling is set. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.