This recipe was gifted to me by my good friend Nelson Rocha. As a lover of word games and puns, it is no wonder that the name he gave the recipe works in two ways: NRG (energy) Bars but also Nelson Rocha’s Great Bars. These little nuggets of energy have saved me many times, during long backcountry trips as well as the ride home from school when I am close to bonking. Nelson says, “Packed with protein, carbs, and caffeine, these bars have just the kick in the ass I need to keep me going!”
4 1/2 cups granola
3 cups sesame seeds
1/2 cup finely chopped banana chips
1/2 cup raisins or craisins
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 tbsp finely ground coffee beans
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cans (600 ml) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 tbsp honey
Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix wet ingredients in a separate bowl, or just add them to the dry and mix. Butter up an 11” X 17” pan and spread contents into the pan. Make sure the mix is pressed well into the pan. Cook at 300? F for 20 minutes. When mix is totally cooled, cut it into bars. You can wrap them individually in wax paper or put in a container and store them in the freezer and they’ll make great snacks for future trips.
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