Brown Rice Power Bars

Name: Brown Rice Power Bars
Yield: Makes about 24 bars.
Ingredients: 1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, softened; 1/2 cup (125 mL) pure nut butter (peanut, cashew, almond) with no additional ingredients; 3/4 cup (175 mL) brown sugar; 1 egg; 1 tbsp (15 mL) vanilla; 1 cup (250 mL) brown rice flour; 1½ tsp gluten-free baking powder; 1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon; 2 cups (500 mL) cooked U.S. brown rice; 1/2 cup(125 mL) coconut; 2 cups (500 mL) favourite trail mix*

Healthy, homemade energy bars for people on the go! These brown rice bars are packed with dried fruits, nuts and seeds and bound together with wholesome brown rice and natural nut butter. They’re portable, convenient and best of all, provide the energy you need to keep up with your busy schedule!

Yield

Makes about 24 bars.

Ingredients

1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, softened
1/2 cup (125 mL) pure nut butter (peanut, cashew, almond) with no additional ingredients
3/4 cup (175 mL) brown sugar
1 egg
1 tbsp (15 mL) vanilla
1 cup (250 mL) brown rice flour
1½ tsp gluten-free baking powder
1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon
2 cups (500 mL) cooked U.S. brown rice
1/2 cup(125 mL) coconut
2 cups (500 mL) favourite trail mix*

*To ensure the recipe is gluten-free, avoid trail mixes containing chocolate, Smarties or dates as these products may contain barley malt flavouring or wheat flour.

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
In large bowl, beat butters and sugar until light and well combined. Beat in egg and vanilla.
In bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and cinnamon. Stir into butter mixture until well combined. Fold in rice, coconut and trail mix.
Spread mixture into a parchment-lined 13-x9-inch (33 cm x 23 cm) baking dish. Bake in the centre of oven until golden and set, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool before slicing into bars with a serrated knife.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.