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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