Humpastry Day - Cherry Energy Bars

Homemade Cherry Energy Bars:

A long time ago I got a recipe for homemade energy bars and always wanted to make them, but I never had the right ingredients around.  Well, I was digging through my recipe box wondering what to make for Humpastry day and I found the recipe!   I have recipes for different versions, but I'm kind of on a cherry kick right now and thought these sounded good!  They have similar ingredients to cliff bars, but they're not as big and not as mushed together (if you've had a cliff bar before you know what I mean).  Although I would more likely use these on my longer bike rides in place of cliff bars, I had one before a 40min. run today and didn't have any problems.  :)

Ingredients:
 Makes 12 bars **Note:  You could definitely double the recipe and make 24 bars in a 13x9" pan.  I just did 12 because I wanted to make sure I like them before I made 24 of them!  

*  1 1/4C rice cereal (like rice krispies)
*  1C uncooked rolled oats
*  3Tbl. ground flaxseed
*  1/4C chopped dried cherries
*  1/4C finely chopped almonds
*  1/4C brown rice syrup (can also use honey or maple syrup)
*  2Tbl. brown sugar
*  1/3C almond butter
*  1/4tsp. almond extract

Directions:
1.  Line an 8" square pan with wax paper and set aside.
2.  In a large bowl combine rice cereal, oats, flaxseed, cherries, and almonds

3.  In a small saucepan over med-high heat, bring the syrup and brown sugar to a boil, stirring constantly.
4.  Remove from  heat and add the almond butter and almond extract.  Stir until well blended.
5.  Pour the almond butter mixture over the cereal mixture, stirring until coated.  I used my hands to make sure it was well mixed.
6.  Press the mixture firmly into the 8" pan and let cool.  Once cooled, cut into 12 bars.

7.  Wrap the bars in plastic wrap (or put in snack size ziploc bags) and store in the refrigerator.
8.  Enjoy!