Homemade Energy Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 2/3 cup chunky natural peanut butter
• 2 2/3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup soy protein powder or whey protein powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 cup unsweetened dried coconut
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, or walnuts

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Give a 9 x 13 inch baking pan a light coating of grease. A nonstick cake pan works nicely, and a Pyrex baking dish should work, too.
2. In a large bowl, combine the syrup and peanut butter with the back of a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth and evenly mixed.
3. In another bowl, mix all the remaining ingredients. Add that dry mixture to the peanut butter mixture, stirring until you have an even dough.
4. Press the dough into the prepared pan. It will feel a bit sticky, but if you grease your fingers, you can spread it into the pan without much fuss.
5. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the bars turn golden brown. Slice them while they are still warm, then leave them in the pan until completely cool. Wrap the bars one by one and keep them in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze them for up to 1 month.