Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Cereal Layer Bars


Layer bars like these come in many forms. The only real components necessary to make them are a cookie or graham cracker crust, a mixed ingredient filling full of different flavors and textures and a topping of sweetened condensed milk to bind it all together. Typically, they are sweet to the max. And, in my opinion, lacking depth and diversity in flavor. Unless, of course, we are talking about these bars.

I would like to say they are a stroke of carefully planned out genius. However, they are more a product of photo shoot leftovers than anything else. Instead of graham crackers for the crust, we're talking a crust made with crushed Cracklin' Oat Bran (my childhood favorite cereal).

And inside?

Salty peanuts to break up the sweetness of two types of chocolate with crunchy granola thrown in for good measure.

The best part of it all is how easy they are. And tempting, too. The day after making these bars I whisked them off to work to avoid the temptation of eating the whole pan. Proceed with caution.


Cereal Layer Bars
Ingredients

Crust
*1 2/3 cups Kellogg's Cracklin' Oat Bran Cereal, crushed into a fine meal
*1 tablespoon sugar
*4 tabespoons butter, melted

Filling
*1/3 cup salted roasted peanuts, chopped
*1/3 cup mint chocolate pieces
*1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
*1/3 cup Teddy Grahams, crushed into coarse pieces
*1/3 cup Honey Bunches of Oats Just Bunches cereal or other type of granola cereal
*7 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1/2 a regular-sized can)

Instructions
*Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the crushed Cracklin' Oat Bran cereal, sugar and butter. Stir until evenly combined. Press mixture into a 13 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 1 rectangular tart pan (I purchased mine here but I am guessing it would also work to use an 8x8-inch baking pan.), paying attention to pressing mixture up the sides.
*Bake crust for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
*Meanwhile, combine the peanuts, mint chocolate pieces, chocolate chips, crushed Teddy Grahams and cereal. Pour mixture into the crust and spread evenly. Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown around the edges and slightly bubbly. Remove and cool for at least an hour before serving.

Happy Baking!

Madison  

11 comments:

Megan said...

No way! Crackin Oat Bran was my favorite cereal as a kid too. I thought I was the only one!

These look delish, minus the mint chips. I'll stick with all chocolate :)

Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean said...

these look AMAZING. i was just hunting for new breakfast recipes!

Lauren at Keep It Sweet said...

I love these! I haven't had cracklin oat bran since I was a kid, but I may have to buy some now!

The Blue-Eyed Bakers said...

Cracklin' Oat Bran is THE BEST cereal! We are obsessed with this idea of using it in a layer bar. And chocolate, peanuts and MORE delicious cereal and cookies!? Genius lady!

helen said...

My Hello Dollies are a layered bar and a big hit. You are inspiring me to try different things and cereals into layered bars :)

Becca Wong said...

I seriously drool every single time I see your posts!! (Ahaha, not attractive at all!) But my goodness, keep us updated on your wedding adventures too! Love your blog <3

Jess said...

clearly a necessary dessert.

paddle attachment said...

Wow, yum! It is definitely time we had breakfast for dessert. (:

Natalie said...

these are AMAZING---mail me a batch?! ;)

Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food said...

oh my goodness those look AMAZING, like granola bars taken to the next level! yum! :)

Elia@FeedYourSister said...

This looks great!! I always make the original layer bars which are delish, but this is a great way to use up leftover cereal in the pantry!! Totally going to try this next time!!

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