Berry Backpack Bars

Ingredients

1/3 cup sesame seeds
1/3 cup hulled sunflower seeds
1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/3 cup chopped almonds
1/3 cup unsweetened dried coconut
3-1/2c cups crisp toasted rice cereal
1 cup dried cranberries
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
7 cups (12 oz.) mini-marshmallows


Method


In a medium frying pan over medium heat, combine sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pecans and almonds until sesame seeds are a pale gold, about 3 minutes. Add coconut and stir until sesame seeds are golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in cranberries and cereal. Remove from heat. Next, combine peanut butter, butter, and marshmallows in a 5-6 qt. pan. Stir often over low heat until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Add cereal mixture and stir quickly to coat evenly. Pour into in a buttered 9 x 13 pan and use the back of a buttered spatula to press into a firm layer. Cool until bars are set and cut into 24 pieces. Store in an airtight container or storage bags for up to three days.