Sneaky Snack Bars

Taken from the March 2010 issue of Today's Parent. Feel free to add other goodies such as toasted almonds, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, dried figs, raisins, dried berried or chopped dried pineapple.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 4  cups  multigrain  Cheerios toasted oat cereal
• 4  cups  bran flakes
• 1 1⁄2 cups dried cranberries
• 1  cup  dried apricot, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup coconut flakes
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 45  jumbo marshmallows

Directions

1. Coat a 9x13in pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix both types of cereal with cranberries, apricots and coconut.
3. Melt butter in a large wide saucepan or Dutch oven set over medium-low heat.
4. Add marshmallows and stir constantly, until melted and evenly combined, 6-10 minutes.
5. Turn off heat but leave pan on the burner.
6. Add cereal mixture and stir vigorously to combine.
7. Turn mixture into pan and using a spatula sprayed with cooking spray, smooth surface and press down to pack.
8. Cool until firm, at least 2 hours.
9. Remove from pan and cut into squares.