Peanut Butter Butterscotch Granola Squares

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Here I go again with the peanut butter + butterscotch combo!  It's a magnificent match that shocks your tastebuds every time, but in a good way.

We've all seen peanut butter granola bars on grocery store shelves, but these homemade granola squares are so much better... these are 100% whole grain, refined-sugar-free, no bake, and are larger than the packaged varieties for the same amount of calories!

Not to mention, these have butterscotch... rich, sweet and oh so indulgent butterscotch!  This amazing ingredient transforms the typical breakfast granola bar into a unique dessert.  But if you're like me and eat dessert for breakfast, then this will be a delightful change from overnight dessert oats and the other granola square recipes.

These made me hop out of bed in the morning!  Literally...

Peanut Butter Butterscotch Granola Squares:  [no bake, low sugar, high protein, GF, vegan]
(makes 9 squares or 8 bars)
Step 1:
   1 cup Light Coconut Milk, canned

   64g (1/4 cup) Natural Peanut Butter (no sugar/salt/oil added)

   42g (2 tbs) Molasses

   26g (1/4 cup) Ground Flaxseed
   1 tsp Butterscotch Extract
Step 2:

   128g (4 scoops) Vanilla Protein Powder

   96g (1/2 cup) Granulated Erythritol (or dry sweetener of choice)

   1/4 tsp Salt
Step 3:
   192g (2 cups) Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (GF if you like)
   120g (4 cups) Crispy Brown Rice Cereal

Directions:
1.  Line a brownie pan with parchment paper both ways, set aside.
2.  In a large bowl, whisk together the Step 1 ingredients.
3.  Whisk in the protein powder, erythritol and salt (it should be viscous/thick/syrupy looking).
4.  Fold in the oats, then fold in the rice krispies.  When mixture is fully mixed, pour it into the prepared brownie pan and flatten the surface.  Freeze covered for a day and a half (I know, I know, but those few extra hours are crucial for them so slice easily) then slice.  Once sliced, these can stay in the fridge or freezer.

Note:  these are pretty sticky, so once you slice them it helps to keep each individual slice on a piece of parchment paper (plus it's pretty!).  Feel free to add 1/4 cup of chopped peanuts for more peanut flavor, or maybe even add a handful of mini dark chocolate chips!

The only con to making these granola squares is knowing that you have to let them freeze for over 24 hours before you can indulge!  I've gotta say, stirring the "batter" was quite torturous... it had an incredible scent!

I purposely didn't wash the mixing bowl for a few hours later so I could smell the peanut butter + butterscotch for as long as possible...  I hope that's not gross..........

With 8g of healthy fats, 4g of fiber and 17g of protein, these granola squares are the perfect replacement for storebought protein bars and meal replacement bars.

Skip the processed stuff and make this just-as-delicious version at home!