Old Fashioned School Lunch Peanut Butter Bars

reposted 6-14-18

INGREDIENTS

1 cup confectioners' sugar 

4 cups crispy rice

1/4 cup vanilla protein powder 

8 tablespoons (1 sticks)butter

1 cups smooth peanut butter,

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix the crispy rice cereal with the powders. 

In another small bowl, whisk the melted butter with the chocolate chips until melted, microwaving 10 seconds until smooth.  Add peanut butter and vanilla extract. Add the wet mixture to the cereal mixture and stir until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Pour the  mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer.

Refrigerate until firm, 30 to 45 minutes.

Cut into 16 even squares. Store the bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to serve.

HEALTHIER VERSION

½ cup Stevia powder

2 Tablespoons Agave

4 cups crispy rice

¼ cup protein powder (I used whey-based, vanilla)

½ cup flax meal

2 tablespoons superfood powder (this is a combination of veggies, dried and powdered.) 

1 stick butter  (fat is good for me!)

1 cup smooth peanut butter

1 cup chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vanilla extract