Make Your Own No-Bake Cereal Bars

My daughter is 4, and she frequently likes to try new cereal. Unfortunately, she'll often like a new cereal for a few days, then she tires of it and it ends up going stale in our cabinet.

She does love cereal bars, though. So, I figured out a way to breathe new life into the leftover cereal. Plus, there is no better way to ensure that your cereal bar is healthy, fresh and delicious, than to make it yourself! She loves to eat these bars, and she also loves to help make them!

Total prep and cooking time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
2 cups cereal (any kind of dry cereal works great!)
1/4 cup wheat germ, almond meal, or flax meal
1 1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter
2/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
2/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Crush cereal with a glass or cup. It doesn't need to be crushed completely, it's okay if there are still some bigger pieces left.

Add the wheat germ (or almond meal/flax meal), rolled oats and cinnamon.

In a saucepan (or microwave oven), bring milk, brown sugar, and peanut butter to a boil.

Boil for 1 minute (stirring constantly) before removing from heat. Immediately add vanilla and cereal mix.

Mix well.

Pour onto cookie sheet lined with wax paper.

Cover with another piece of wax paper.

Flatten with a rolling pin, packing tightly.

Cool completely, then cut into 25 rectangles (or whatever size you prefer). I store these in an air-tight container in the fridge, but they could also be individually wrapped and frozen for longer life. You could also add raisins, nuts, chocolate chips for a little variety. Enjoy!