Rice Krispie Trail Mix Bars

These are a blend of salty sweet trail mix and the traditional Rice Krispie Treat. They are a quick and easy fan favorite with kids and a source of magnesium and vitamins. I created these myself and I love them so much I entered them in the Better Homes and Gardens Mixing Bowl Quick &Easy Outdoor Recipe Contest. The link were you can vote for me is here. Enjoy!

1/4 cup unsalted butter

40 large marshmallows

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup variety of dried tropical fruit(like mango, dates, papaya, pineapple), chopped

1/2 cup dry roasted salted almond, chopped

5 cups Rice Krispie Cereal

1. Grease a 9x13 inch pan or baking dish and set aside
2. Mix the dried fruit, almonds and Rice Krispie cereal in a large mixing bowl.
3. Melt the butter in a heavy non-stick saucepan over medium heat until melted, but not boiling. Add to the melted butter 40 large marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows are completely melted. Add to the marshmallow mixture the sea salt and stir until the salt is completely incorporated.
4. Remove the marshmallow mixture from the stove and pour it slowly over the Rice Krispie Cereal mixture. Stir the combined mixture together until the Rice Krispies are completely coated with the marshmallow mixture
5. Turn this out into your greased 9x13 pan or baking dish. Allow to cool before cutting into desired shapes.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Move oven rack to lower middle position. Preheat oven to 375°
2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl, set aside for later.
3. Cream brown sugar, white sugar and butter together. Add the eggs, one at a time and mix until well combined. Then add the milk, and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Gradually beat in the flour mixture.
4. Coat the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the cinnamon.
5. Stir in the oats, and morsels, mix until well combined.
6. Spread mixture into a greased 9x13 in baking dish.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until top is a golden brown. The bars will be very gooey until well cooled. So you decide which you think is yummy...gooey or not gooey. I cut early as I enjoy them gooey.