Homemade Nut Bars

I almost bought these Kind bars today, a box of 12, six of each. In my hand and being carted around the store, they were neither expensive nor cheap nor low in calories. So I returned them to the shelf and thought, "Why should I pay $15 for 12 nut bars?" Instead, I could eat 12 nuts chased down with a spoonful of honey for sweetness. I don't need to buy these bars! Surely I can make a simple nut bar at home for less than $15 bucks.

Here's the recipe I came up with ... a step beyond chucking 12 almonds with a bit of honey into my mouth. Fast and easy, we can do it: 

Simple Rustic Nut Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup of almonds

1/2 cup pecans (or walnuts)

1/2 cup cashews

1/2 cup of any other favorite nuts you like - hazelnuts or pistachios, pine nuts, peanuts, (or even pumpkin seeds)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

A pinch of salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup honey

1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar syrup (or maple syrup)

Optional: 1/2 cup of chocolate chips or a swirl of melted chocolate if you wish to mimic a Kind bar. Omit the chocolate for less calories.

Directions:

1) In a 350 degree F oven, spread out the nuts on a baking sheet and toast them for about 15 minutes.

2) After the nuts are toasted and cooled, toss them into a mixing bowl. Leave the almonds whole if you wish. Break some of the nuts up if you wish.

3) Next add the other dry ingredients to the mixing bowl.

4) Follow with the wet ingredients of honey and syrup. Mix and coat well.

5) Press into a parchment lined (or buttered) baking pan.

6) Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 20 - 25 minutes. Hot bubbling honey will bind the mixture together. Don't continue baking too long after it bubbles. Remove from the oven.

7) Let the uncut baked nuts and honey bars cool completely. 

8) Cut into bars. Store what you don't eat in a cookie tin or container.

Enjoy a healthy snack!

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