Carob Crispy Treats

If you have ever tried plain carob chips you may find they taste like licking the bottom of a boot (at least I do).  But carob has a lot of benefits like calcium, fiber and is naturally sweet so no sugar is usually added to the chips.  Carob chips are made from a powder that comes from the pods of a tree that grows along the Mediterranean Sea.  It has a unique flavor that doesn't taste exactly like chocolate (so if you try a carob chip expecting a chocolate chip it adds to the boot bottom flavor).  Unlike chocolate, carob doesn't contain any caffeine and is often used to sooth upset stomachs.  Used in recipes, carob chips are wonderful and I'm slowing finding where they succeed and fail.

Bebe B recently asked for Koala Crisp (chocolate) cereal when we were shopping and while it's a brand we buy and the ingredients were all okay for her to have it broke our cereal rule (less than 8 grams of sugar per serving).  We already had a box of the plain Koala Crisp at home which gave me the idea for this healthy treat.  Taste tested by Me, Bebe B and Bebe I and we all agree...Delicious!  A perfect Allergy friendly treat to take to an event or school because it's nut-free, dairy-free, vegan and gluten-free.   

Carob Crispy Treats - 12 Months+

Ingredients:

4 cups Brown Rice Cereal
1/2 cup Brown Rice Syrup
1/2 cup Sunflower Butter (or nut butter)
1/8 cup Carob Chips

Put the cereal in a large mixing bowl.  Combine the brown rice syrup, sunflower butter and carob chips in either a small saucepan and melt over low heat until warm. Or microwave in a glass dish for 1-2 minutes on 50% power. Stir till well combined.  Pour the sticky mixture over the cereal and fold until well combined.  Press unto a small bar pan lined with wax or parchment paper.  Allow to cool and harden for about 30 minutes.  Then cut into squares and enjoy!  Makes about 30 small squares with about 5 grams of sugar per serving.

This recipe is Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Gluten-Free and Vegan.