Cereal Bars with Dried Cherries, Almonds and Coconut

These healthier no-bake cereal bars packed with good stuff like dried cherries, unsweetened coconut, sliced almonds, honey, and almond butter make the best after-school or afternoon snack!

Ingredients

• 4 cups crispy rice or puffed cereal 
• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats 
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds 
• 1/2 cup Cherry De-Lite Dried Cherries 
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shaved or flaked coconut
• 1/3 cup honey 
• 1/3 cup coconut oil or butter 
• 1/4 cup brown sugar 
• 1/3 cup almond butter  or peanut butter, not natural-style
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ - ½ cup chocolate chunks , optional

Instructions

• In a large bowl combine the cereal, oats, almond, cherries and coconut.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, coconut oil or butter, and sugar. Bring to a boil and let boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in almond or peanut butter and vanilla extract.
• Pour over cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated.
• Press into a lightly greased 9x13-inch pan. If desired, press chocolate chops into the top of the bars.
• Let cool completely before slicing.

• I like to use a combination of cereal. I used 2 cups crispy rice cereal and 2 cups Kashi seven grain puffs cereal, but you can use all crispy rice or all puffed cereal if you'd like.
• Natural-style almond and peanut butters will prevent these bars from firming up. For best results, use a no-stir option.