I am relatively new to the world of power/protein bars. I tried a couple a few years ago, and they tasted like cardboard, so I gave up. But more recently, I decided to give them a try again. I have been searching for something healthy, and filling I could eat for breakfast. I found the Cool Mint Clif Bars, and was really impressed.
I think the same week I tried the Clif Bars, Michelle from Brown Eyed Baker posted a no-bake recipe for Clif Bar from scratch. I knew I had to try them immediately, but with mint extract and some cocoa powder. These are super easy to throw together. There is no baking required, so in a matter of minutes you can be snacking on these. Probably best to wait longer so they completely harden, but you get the idea.
These are not exactly like the store bought ones, but they sure are good. They are healthy, full of whole grains, and a relatively good for you snack. I haven’t run the nutritional information, so I don’t know how they compare the original. I do know that you can feel good about eating all of the ingredients in here, so they can’t be too bad for you.
- 1 cup prunes (dried)
- 11/4 cups Rice Krispies
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 Tbls ground flaxseed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tsp mint extract
- 1/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
- Drizzle (optional)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 drop mint extract
- 1 tsp milk
- Line an 8 inch baking pan with foil, and spray with non stick spray.
- Using a food processor, pulse the prunes until they are finely chopped. In a large bowl mix together the prunes, Rice Krispies, oats, flax seed, cocoa powder and salt.
- In a small saucepan, over medium heat, mix together the peanut butter and honey. Heat until melted, and well combined, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and stir in the mint extract.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the prune mixture and stir until well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Spread into the prepared pan, and press firmly to pack it down.
- Prepare the drizzle (if using). In a small bowl combine the sugar, mint, and milk. Stir until thin and easy to drizzle, adjust the milk and sugar if necessary. Drizzle over the bars. Place in the fridge and allow to harden for about an hour before cutting.
- Cut, and store in an air tight container for about a week.
Erin S
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Baker Street says
October 22, 2012 at 5:18 amI don’t think these would make it to the fridge to set! They sound terrific and I love that this treat can be ready within minutes. 🙂
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
October 22, 2012 at 6:07 amBah… nutritional info! Doesn’t matter as long as they’re this healthy. They sound great. 🙂
Parsley Sage says
October 22, 2012 at 8:00 amYUM! I’ve not had a Clif Bar before but if this recipe is any indication, its very tasty 🙂 I love that these are no bake
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
October 22, 2012 at 8:11 amI haven’t jumped on the power/protein bars bandwagon yet but you’re totally inspiring me to give it a try!
Lemons and Anchovies says
October 22, 2012 at 8:34 amI never go without Clif Bars–I always have one in my purse for whenever I get hungry and the Chocolate Mint is one of my favorite flavors. Gee, would love to try making it myself at home. Bookmarking this. 🙂
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
October 22, 2012 at 9:45 amWhat a great and easy snack!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
October 22, 2012 at 11:58 amI love chocolate mint Clif bars! Such a great idea to make your own!
Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings says
October 22, 2012 at 12:34 pmAs a child, my fave flavour for anything – ice cream, bars, cookies – is mint chip. I’m pretty sure these bars will evoke such childhood memories for me!
Elizabeth @Food Ramblings says
October 22, 2012 at 12:46 pmyum! i am absolutely making these!
Yum Girl says
October 22, 2012 at 1:26 pmMmm…looks good! If I may, I’d like to invite you to submit your photos to the new YumGoggle, a photo sharing site with the philosophy that if you worked hard to cook it and photograph it, we should show it off! Hope to see you there soon!
http://www.yumgoggle.com/gallery/
Valerie says
October 22, 2012 at 1:39 pmI’m relatively new to the world of Clif bars too, but I love chocolate mint anything. These bars look fantastic!!
Pretend Chef says
October 22, 2012 at 6:15 pmYummy!
Baking Serendipity says
October 22, 2012 at 7:08 pmClif bars are one of the only protein bars I really like, but the thought of making them homemade is even better! And, I love the mint flavor 🙂
Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says
October 22, 2012 at 7:57 pmLoving these! The headquarters are here in the Bay Area and they are having great growth! Nicely done!
Suzanne says
October 22, 2012 at 8:45 pmLoving this recipe and I just found in the back of my refrigerator a big bag of dried prunes and was wondering what I could do with them, now I know…thanks
Anna @ hiddenponies says
October 22, 2012 at 9:08 pmPeanut butter and mint in one bar…I’m curious to try these, I would never think of those two ingredients together!
Erin says
October 22, 2012 at 9:36 pmYou can’t taste the peanut butter at all – it just kind of holds it all together. I was nervous at first too, but it just works!
Patty says
October 23, 2012 at 6:32 amYour homemade bars look way better than the store bought variety!
Thanks for sharing the recipe- pinned;-)
RavieNomNoms says
October 23, 2012 at 9:08 amOh man!! Mint cliff bar?! I am in, where do I sign up??
amy @ fearless homemaker says
October 23, 2012 at 1:57 pmI love homemade granola/protein bars + bites. And these look fab – will have to try ’em!
Ashley Manila says
October 23, 2012 at 5:30 pmYum – love the addition of mint!!!
DessertForTwo says
October 23, 2012 at 8:08 pmMy favorite cliff bar!! Thanks for this 🙂
Ramona says
October 24, 2012 at 7:45 amWhat a great treat! They are also so much more cost effective when you make them at home. 🙂
Carol | a cup of mascarpone says
October 25, 2012 at 5:22 amI adore healthy sweet treats and am definitely going to try these! They look wonderful, Erin!
Danie says
March 18, 2014 at 1:05 pmI have date paste here at home. Could I substitute that for the prunes? Thanks!
Erin S says
March 18, 2014 at 4:41 pmThat should work well!
aimeedanger says
November 3, 2014 at 8:03 pmMy family laughs at me because I have a cool mint CLIF bar EVERY morning with my cup of coffee. I made these but substituted almond butter for the peanut butter, dates for the prunes, added more flax and left off the chocolate chips as they’re not in the original’s ingredients. SOOO good.