If you’re a cereal lover, you know how versatile your favorite brands can be. Whether you’re using them in baking or snacking on them straight out of the box, there’s no denying that cereal is a pantry staple. One of the best ways to use cereal in your baking is by making cereal bars. They’re easy to make, delicious, and perfect for an on-the-go snack. In this article, we’re going to show you two different recipes for Golden Grahams cereal bars that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Recipe 1: Golden Grahams Cereal Bars with Chocolate Chips
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Golden Grahams cereal
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, measure out the Golden Grahams cereal and set aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the corn syrup and sugar over medium heat. Cook until the mixture begins to boil and the sugar has dissolved, stirring constantly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter until completely combined.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the Golden Grahams cereal and stir until the cereal is completely coated.
- Add in the chocolate chips and stir until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Pour the cereal mixture into the prepared baking pan and press it down firmly with a spatula or your hands.
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours or until firm.
- Cut the bars into squares and serve.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 220
Total Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 140mg
Total Carbohydrates: 33g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 24g
Protein: 3g
Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Equipment:
9×9 inch baking pan
Large mixing bowl
Medium-sized saucepan
Spatula
Cooking spray
Serving Suggestions:
These bars are perfect for an on-the-go snack or a sweet treat after dinner. Serve them with a glass of cold milk for an extra indulgent experience.
Variations:
If you’re not a fan of peanut butter, you can substitute it with almond butter or sunflower seed butter. You can also swap out the chocolate chips for butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips for a different flavor.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have corn syrup, you can use honey or maple syrup instead. If you’re looking for a lower sugar option, you can use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
Storage:
Store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Tips:
- Make sure to press the cereal mixture down firmly into the baking pan to ensure that the bars hold their shape.
- If the peanut butter mixture is difficult to stir, you can microwave it for 30 seconds to make it easier to combine.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use a different type of cereal?
Yes, you can use any type of cereal that you like. Just make sure to adjust the amount of corn syrup and sugar accordingly.
Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Yes, you can use any type of chocolate chips that you like.
Recipe 2: No-Bake Golden Grahams Cereal Bars
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Golden Grahams cereal
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions:
- Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, measure out the Golden Grahams cereal and set aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the corn syrup and sugar over medium heat. Cook until the mixture begins to boil and the sugar has dissolved, stirring constantly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until completely combined.
- Add in the mini marshmallows and stir until they are completely melted and combined with the peanut butter mixture.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the Golden Grahams cereal and stir until the cereal is completely coated.
- Pour the cereal mixture into the prepared baking pan and press it down firmly with a spatula or your hands.
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours or until firm.
- Cut the bars into squares and serve.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 220
Total Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 140mg
Total Carbohydrates: 33g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 24g
Protein: 3g
Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Equipment:
9×9 inch baking pan
Large mixing bowl
Medium-sized saucepan
Spatula
Cooking spray
Serving Suggestions:
These bars are perfect for an on-the-go snack or a sweet treat after dinner. Serve them with a glass of cold milk for an extra indulgent experience.
Variations:
If you’re not a fan of peanut butter, you can substitute it with almond butter or sunflower seed butter. You can also add in your favorite mix-ins like chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have corn syrup, you can use honey or maple syrup instead. If you’re looking for a lower sugar option, you can use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
Storage:
Store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Tips:
- Make sure to press the cereal mixture down firmly into the baking pan to ensure that the bars hold their shape.
- If the peanut butter mixture is difficult to stir, you can microwave it for 30 seconds to make it easier to combine.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use a different type of cereal?
Yes, you can use any type of cereal that you like. Just make sure to adjust the amount of corn syrup and sugar accordingly.
Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
Yes, you can use regular-sized marshmallows. Just make sure to chop them up into smaller pieces so that they melt more easily.
Final Thoughts
Golden Grahams cereal bars are a delicious and easy-to-make snack that are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making them for an after-school treat or a bake sale, these bars are sure to be a hit. Both of the recipes we’ve shared in this article are simple and straightforward, and they can easily be customized to suit your taste preferences. So why not give them a try for yourself and see how delicious they can be?