1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1 1/4 cups rice cereal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup oat bran
1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
3 tablespoons ground flax seed
1 1/4 cups finely chopped dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots)
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 1/3 cup crunch peanut butter
1 1/4 cup light Karo syrup (or a combination of honey, light molasses, or maple syrup)
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon extract (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Combine dry ingredients (oats through chocolate chips) in a large bowl. Bring the syrup and brown sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until blended. Pour peanut butter mixture over dry ingredients. Stir until coated. (Mixture will be stiff.) Press mixture firmly into a 13" X 9" pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Wax paper makes this step easier. Cut into bars. Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap and store in freezer until ready to eat. They defrost very quickly.