Peanut Butter Squares

This was a favorite on mine as a child and it still is today.  I make them for my girls (and who am I kidding, myself too!) and they love them. You can use any kind of peanut butter, but the natural kind without oil is the healthiest. Mix the ingredients together until the powdered milk mostly disappears.  A great snack with some sneaky ingredients that make it healthy too.

Serves: 24                                                                          

Prep time:  5 minutes

Chill time: 3 hours - overnight

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 cups peanut butter (natural; no sugar added)

1 cup powdered non-fat milk

¾ cup toasted wheat germ

¾ cup Honey or to taste 

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all the ingredients together until well blended.  The mixture will still be chunky but the white of the powdered milk should be mostly blended in. Press mixture into pan or Pyrex dish.  Refrigerate until chilled, a minimum of three hours but preferably overnight.  Cut into squares when mixture is firm. 

Honey Bear Granola

This granola is perfect as cereal or on top of your favorite yogurt.  True to its name, it's so sweet it is like candy for adults. 

Makes: 15 cups

Prep Time: 15 min

Total Time: 55 min

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, toss together one 18 ounce container (6 cups) old-fashioned oats, 8 ounces sliced almonds,  1 cup each dried cranberries and chopped dried apricots, 1 cup light-brown sugar,      1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon salt.  In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter.  Stir in ½ cup honey.   Pour over oat mixture and toss to distribute.  Spread granola onto parchment-lined baking pan and bake, stirring occasionally, until oats are tossed and sugar begins to caramelize, 35 to 40 minutes.  Cool completely on pan.  Transfer to an airtight container.