College Being

Energy bars are great for munching on between classes, but they usually run upwards of $1 each. That can be a serious blow to any student’s budget so here are some recipes to make your own:

Classic Energy Bars

Materials:

• 3 cups wheat cereal
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or other)
• 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates or raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup agave nectar (found at health food stores; can use honey instead, but not as good)
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• a little extra margarine for pan

Procedure:
Spread margarine in a 9 inch by 9 inch glass pan using a piece of kitchen paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix cereal, walnuts, dates, cherries in a bowl.

Mix peanut butter, agave nectar, and corn syrup in a saucepan and bring to boil. Stir constantly afterwards for about 1 minute.

Put peanut butter mixture over cereal mixture in bowl, and stir. Put in baking pan. Bake 10 minutes.

Once done, let the mixture cool, cut into squares, and either eat or store in a zip-lock bag at room temperature for later enjoyment.

[Nutrition Facts: serving size: one bar | 180 Calories | 4 gr. Protein | 8 gr. fat | 22 gr. Carbohydrate]

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Granola Bars

Materials:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 cup agave nectar (found at health food stores; can use honey instead, but not as good)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 ounce unsalted margarine (get the healthy kind, it is worth it)
• a little extra margarine for pan
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 1/2 ounces chopped dried fruit (apricots, cherries, blueberries, or a mixture)

Procedure:
Spread margarine in a 9 inch by 9 inch glass pan using a piece of kitchen paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Put oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ in a half-sheet pan. Put in oven for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Mix agave nectar, brown sugar, margarine, vanilla and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the sugar has dissolved.

When the oats are done, reduce the oven to 300 degrees F and add the oats to your saucepan. Add fruit. Spread this mixture into the margarine-ized pan. Bake for 25 minutes.

Once done, let the mixture cool, cut into squares, and either eat or store in a zip-lock bag at room temperature for later enjoyment.

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Protein Bars

Materials:

• 1 cup soy protein powder
• 1/2 cup oat bran
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup dried blueberries
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 1 package soft tofu
• 1/2 cup unfiltered apple juice
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup applesauce (can also use 2 smashed bananas)
• 2/3 cup natural peanut butter
• a little oil for pan (Canola oil will work fine)
• parchment paper

Procedure:
Put parchment paper on the bottom of a 13 inch by 9 inch pan and coat with a small but of oil. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine protein powder, bran, flour, wheat germ, and salt in a mixing bowl.

Chop all the fruits (minus the bananas which if you are using them should be smashed) and set aside.

Whisk the tofu until it is smooth in another mixing bowl. Add the following one at a time while whisking: apple juice, brown sugar, applesauce (or smashed bananas), and peanut butter. Add this mixture to the protein mixture in the first bowl, mix. Add the fruits (you will need to fold them into the mixture). Bake for 35 minutes.

Once done, let the mixture cool, cut into squares, and either eat or store in a zip-lock bag at room temperature for later enjoyment.

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Fig Bars

Materials:

• 2 dozen dried figs
• 1/3 cup agave nectar (found at health food stores; can use honey instead, but not as good)
• 4 tablespoon orange juice
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon oil (Canola oil will work fine)
• 1/4 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2 cup applesauce (can also use 2 smashed bananas)
• 1 cup oat bran

Procedure:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix figs, agave nectar, orange juice, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender.

In separate container, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, oil, corn syrup, and applesauce.

Combine both mixtures, roll into about 20 balls, and coat with bran. Place in glass pan and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

Once done, let the mixture cool, cut into squares, and either eat or store in a zip-lock bag in refrigerator for later enjoyment.

[Nutrition Facts: serving size: one bar | 150 Calories | 4 gr. Protein | 1 gr. fat | 36 gr. Carbohydrate]

[Recipes modified from Good Eats and About.com. Photography by vigilant20]