I am looking for ways to be frugal and want to make some cereal bars rather than buying ready mades. All the recipes call for peanut butter, which is not allowed at my daughter’s school - or any kind of nuts. I was wondering if anyone could suggest an alternative? Im not sure what part the peanut butter plays in the recipe so I dont want to elminiate it altogether.

Thanks!!

Hard to say what part the peanut butter plays since we haven’t seen the recipe. I suspect it adds protein and moisture but.....?

Well, peanut butter is “sticky” so maybe it helps to stick things together?

Other ingredients that can help to “stick together” dry ingredients—butter, eggs, shortening, liquid, syrups.

It would be a big help to see the recipe.

Good luck and enjoy your experiments!

Hi,

Have you tried sunflower-seed butter?
It is used often here in Australia as a substitute for peanut butter and is readily available in the mainstread supermarkets. It has similar qualities to peanut butter (or as we call it peanut paste).

I know it holds up very well in biscuits (cookies) and should also hold up well in cereal (we call them muesli) bars too.
Just did a google and a US brand is called “Sunbutter”: http://www.sunbutter.com/products.asp

Hope this helps!

Happy Baking

Cate

Hi Cate...Thanks for your reply. I am in Australia too so I will head off to the health shop tomorrow and give that a try! Thanks so much for your information.

I am in WA. It is nice to find an Aussie on board, simply because we can relate products that are available over here.

Regards,

Fiona.

Hi Fiona,

Yay - a fellow sandgroper!!! I’m in Sydney at the moment (last 10 years sigh) but a WA-girl through and through!

BTW: If you are after the sunflower seed butter it’s usually in Woolies (some Cole’s stock it but not as many) in the Health Food/Naytura aisle or sometimes with the spreads. IGA will get it in for you too.

Happy Baking!
Cate

How about fudge sauce?

Some of that fine Darrell Lea soft licorice would be too right!

My family has used soy butter as a peanut butter substitute, with excessive success. It reminds the person with the peanut allergy too much of peanuts! My sister’s family uses sunflower seed butter, or tahini with a little honey added. It’s not exactly health food, but a little melted marshmallow can also help stick things together.

Cathy