“Hemp Hearts” Crispy Harvest Bars

Wrap them and go! A snack for your purse, backpack or glovebox!

Need a nice, quick, healthy snack?  With warm scents of cinnamon and clove, a sprinkling of cranberries and pecans, these little squares are sure to make anyone smile!  Plus a boost of energy and correct protein with the addition of some hemp seeds.  Happy Harvest!

What you’ll need:

• 3 cups crispy brown rice cereal (I like Erewhon)
• 1/2 cup of Hemp Hearts (Hemp seed nuts from Manitoba Harvest)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup pecan halves or pieces
• 1/2 cup carob (or chocolate) chips
• 1/2 cup almond butter, a heaping serving
• 1/4 cup maple syrup, a heaping serving
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to make the bars!

1. Measure out the cereal, hemp seeds, cranberries, pecans, and carob/chocolate chips in a big bowl.
2. Heat the maple and agave syrups on low in a pot.  Add the almond butter, vanilla and spices.  Whisk together until smooth and creamy.  Turn off heat.
3. Add to the cereal mix and stir thoroughly with a rubber spatula to combine the gooey syrup with all the ingredients so they stick together.
4. Place the mixture into an 8 X8 pan for thicker bars or a 9X13 for thinner bars.  Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight before cutting into squares with a sharp knife.  Using a butter knife may not cut them nicely.  Store in the fridge.