Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bars

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Cooking Light and Real Simple, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #FreshandFab http://mydisclosur.es/OBsstV

How often do you find new recipes to try when you're reading through a magazine? For me, it seems like the pictures just jump out at me and make me hungry so I'm always trying them or my version of the recipe.

I love Cooking Light, I find so many ideas in that magazine like these Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bars. I knew I had to make them when I saw the delicious looking photos!

When I found this recipe, I thought it would be a great snack for my boys either at home or to take to school with them.  I love making simple recipes like this that are a healthy version of a snack they love and these energy bars are packed with fiber, protein and more so they're perfect!

How to Make Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bars

You can find this recipe on page 96 of the April Cooking Light Magazine (I modified it slightly for our family)

Ingredients You Need

• 1 Cup Uncooked Old-fashioned Rolled Oats
• ¾ Cup Uncooked Quinoa
• ¾ Cup Sweetened Cranberries
• ½ Cup Salted Pistachios, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons flaxseed meal
• ½ Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
• 6 Tablespoons Honey
• 1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
• ¼ Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1 - Preheat the oven to 350

Step 2 - Spread the oats and quinoa on a baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes

Step 3 - Mix the cranberries, Pistachios, coconut, and flax seed meal with the oats and quinoa into a large bowl

Step 4 - Combine the peanut butter, honey, oil, salt and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring to a boil and cook for 1 minutes stirring constantly

Step 5 - Pour the Peanut butter mixture over the oats and quinoa mixture and toss well to coat

Step 6 - Press the mixture into a 8 inch greased square glass dish

Step 7 - Bake for 13 minutes until lightly browned, cool completely and cut into 1x4 inch bars.  Enjoy!

These were so good, I'm really glad that I picked up Cooking Light and Real Simple the other day while I was out at Target, I typically wouldn't buy two magazines at once but there was a special going on where I got a $5 Gift Card with the purchase of both!  How great is that?  I'm so excited to have a couple awesome magazines to read over spring break!

When was the last time you made a recipe you saw in a magazine?  Is that something you do often or does it have to be an a special occasion for you to do that?  I'd love to hear!