Crunchy Granola Bars - great for kids and adults :)

Crunchy Granola Bars

1 ½ cups Puffed Rice

1 ½ cups Rolled Oats

½ cup Quinoa Cereal

2/3  cup cranberries

½ cup sunflower seeds

¼ cup pumpkin seeds

¼ tsp cinnamon

¼ cup almond butter

¼ cup brown rice syrup

¼ cup honey

2 T. brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line and 8- or 9-inch square pan with a long sheet of parchment paper (so ends extend over edges of pan).

2. Mix the puffed rice, oats, quinoa cereal, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and cinnamon in a large bowl.

3. In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the almond butter, brown rice syrup, honey, brown sugar and vanilla until sugar has melted and the almond butter has thinned.

4. Pour the liquid mixture on top of the dry ingredients, mixing well. When everything is equally coated, spread the mixture into the pan. Press the mixture down with the bottom of a measuring cup or the back of a wooden spoon. Bake for about 25-35 minutes, or until golden brown.

5. When you remove the pan from the oven, again use the back of a wooden spoon to press the bars flat. Allow to cool completely before touching them again.

6. When totally cooled and hard, lift the ends of the parchment and put onto a cutting board and cut into bars or squares. Store them in a ziploc bag at room temperature.