Peanut Butter & Jelly Cereal Bars - FOOD PHOTO SNAP

Wow, it's been getting so hot around here these past few days. I've been baking a lot less for sure but even despite the heat you just have to bake something, you know? I've definitely been steering more towards fruity flavors though.

So who’s got the snack snackities? That’s great, me too! Don’t worry, I’ve got ya covered today.

I don’t even remember the last time I ate a pb&j but the flavors have been on my brain for some reason so I mixed that craving with my peanut butter inspiration and turned it into a copycat version of those nutri-grain breakfast bars. They’re kinda like double sized fig newtons too…..only……. with pb!

--Peanut Butter & Jelly Cereal Bars--
Ever dreamed of creating your own snack bars? You're in luck because these super soft cereal bars are so much fun to make!

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

--Ingredients--
Cereal Bar Dough:
3 tablespoons flaxseed meal+
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup agave or maple syrup
3/4 cup rice flour
1/4 + 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch plus more for work surface
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash of cinnamon optional
Filling:
1 cup of your favorite brand of all fruit jam or jelly mixed
2 tablespoons cornstarch.
OR
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 cups fresh berries *see note
2 tablespoons agave or maple syrup optional
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

--Instructions--
Filling (Skip if using store-bought jelly):
Heat oil in a medium to large saucepan over medium high heat and add berries. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften. Add the lemon juice and sweetener and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer, still stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until it has begun to thicken. Whisk cornstarch and water in a small dish until smooth, then pour into pan and stir well as the filling begins to thicken. Remove from heat and cool completely.
Cereal Bar Dough:
Combine the flaxmeal and water in a medium mixing bowl and allow it to set for about 10 minutes to thicken. Add the peanut butter, syrup, salt, vanilla, and baking powder to the flax mixture, then stir until combined. Mix in the cinnamon, cornstarch, and rice flour until the mixture forms a thick dough. (It may seem a bit dry at first but as you continue stirring it should come together.)
Assemble:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C) and line a baking tray with parchment or silicone pads. On a clean surface spread a small amount of cornstarch and scrape your dough out with a large rubber spatula. Roll out half of dough into a rectangle roughly 1/8 inch thick. cut into strips about 3 1/2 inches wide and use a pastry bag fitted with large tip (or just a spoon) to spread filling in a straight, 1-inch wide, line down center of strips. Fold one side over filling and brush with water, then fold other side to overlap and press down gently to seal. Cut strips into bars and place (fold side down) on baking tray. (P.S.If you need more visual guide you can check out my fig newton recipe which has some step-by-step photos. Just double the length you cut them if you want these full-size bars.)
Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until edges are golden. Remove from oven and cool before serving.

--Recipe Notes--
*Use your favorite berry or a mixture; raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc. You can use other fruits for the filling such as apples or stone fruit as well, just puree them in a food processor or blender with 1 cup of water before cooking and you will only need about 1 1/2 cups (about 3 medium apples).