Benjamin Franklin Meal - Replacement Energy Bars Recipe

Benjamin Franklin Meal - Replacement Energy Bars Recipe

Yields: 12 bars

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk
2 eggs
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
1 tablespoon dark rum (or substitute 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/2 cups rolled oats (either old-fashion, quick, or instant oat may be used)
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup almonds or walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup raisins

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or butter a 9- x 13-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine milk, eggs, honey, applesauce, rum or vanilla, and brown sugar. Stir until blended. 

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, and baking soda; stir until mixed. Add the flour mixture to the milk mixture and stir until blended. 

Add the oats, chocolate chips, cranberries, almonds or walnuts, and raisins; stir until blended. Spoon mixture into prepared baking pan and smooth out evenly in pan. 

Bake approximately 28 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting. When cool, cut into twelve (12) bars.

Two bars make a pint-sized meal replacement.  Each bar has 240 calories, 40 grams of carbohydrates, and a full 15 grams of protein.

Makes 12 energy bars.

* Recipe was developed and shared by Kelly Wright from her new The Benjamin Franklin Diet book.

Kelly says, "In 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to his friend David LeRoy concerning improvements for traveling by ship. In the letter he provided a list of recommended food items that passengers should carry with them, including almonds, chocolate, eggs, sugar, raisins, rum, and oat bread. I have taken the liberty of turning Franklin’s list of rations into succulent whole grain bars that are perfect for a meal replacement or an energy-packed snack bar. 

The Benjamin Franklin Meal-Replacement Energy Bars were designed to provide all the whole grain and daily nutrition the body needs. You will lose weight if you eat four to six of these per day instead of meals and snacks. These bars are great if you’re on the go and need to have a meal on hand without thinking about it."