If you grew up seeing boxes of Grape-Nuts cereal in your pantry, you already know they're not grapes, and they're definitely not nuts. But they are crunchy, hearty, and kind of a blast from the past for some of us. For me, it was my mother's cereal and we kids didn't go near it.
Are Grape-Nuts Trending?
I'm not sure if Grape-Nuts are super trendy again, but I do wonder if the popularity of yogurt bowls has brought them back into fashion. Parfaits are in, and the crunchy texture of Grape-Nuts holds its own in that creamy dairy environment. And retro cereals as a category are making comeback, so there's that. I don't know, but thinking about this has me craving Grape-Nuts.
An Easy Four-Ingredient Recipe
Anyhow, I dug up this old No-Bake Grape-Nuts Peanut Butter Bars recipe which I originally made in a loaf pan. It's a four-ingredient recipe that calls for peanut butter, corn syrup, sugar, and Grape-Nuts cereal. No oven. No thermometer. No complicated steps. Just melt, stir, press, and slice.
Flavors and Texture
The bars rely on peanut butter for richness and flavor, corn syrup for chew and structure, sugar for sweetness and firmness and cereal for crunch and bulk. The mixture is heated just enough to dissolve the sugar and create a syrupy base. Once stirred in with the cereal and pressed firmly into a pan, it sets into dense, bars you can slice into squares.
Type of Peanut Butter
When I first made these I used Skippy Natural with Honey. It worked well, but something like regular Skippy or Jif might give you firmer bar cookies. For the next round, I may try using unsweetened peanut butter for even more peanut butter flavor.
Recipe
No-Bake Grape-Nuts Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
- ¼ cup peanut butter, plus a little more if needed (56 grams)
- ⅓ cup white corn syrup or try golden syrup (110 grams)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (65 grams)
- 1 ⅓ cups Grape Nuts cereal
Instructions
- Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with non-stick foil (or use regular foil and spray it with cooking spray. Parchment should work too. You could also make these in a square pan, but they'll be slightly thinner.
- In a large nonstick saucepan, combine the peanut butter, corn syrup and granulated sugar. Heat for about 2 minutes or until the peanut butter melts and the sugar just starts to dissolve.
- Remove from heat, stir in the cereal, then dump it all into your lined pan.
- Press down tightly to make a bar. Let it cool, then lift from pan and slice into 8 squares.
TG says
glad Louise posted that grapenut custard recipe. in my teens, i used to work at a mom-&-pop restaurant that had grapenut custard as a dessert and my entire shift would consist of restraining the urge to go and sneak spoonfuls.
when i go back for family reunions, i always make a point of getting a grapenut custard ice cream cone at one of the many new england ice cream stands that offer it
Gina says
I made these last night. I used Jif peanut butter and would therefor decrease the sugar in the original recipe next time. I really wanted to put mini chocolate chips in, but I knew that would be a problem because the mixture was so hot while being mixed. Instead I put a layer of the Grape Nuts mixture into the pan, spread a handful of mini chocolate chips, and then put another layer of the Grape Nuts mixture on top. This also keeps the chocolate hidden inside so it doesn't melt on your fingers when you eat them. 🙂 Thanks for the recipe. We thought they were simple, quick, and tasty!
Nina says
These are brilliant! Great use of this cereal....can't wait to try them!
the blissful baker says
I haven't had Grape Nuts in ages! I use to sprinkle it on my yogurt for some crunch. These bars look so easy and good!
The Kitchen Magpie says
How easy are those!!?? I love no bake recipes and I love 4 ingredient ones even better, I have to try these.
Martha says
I like GrapeNuts but only after they soak in milk for 10 minutes or so. Other cereals - Wheaties, Rice Krispies, are fine immediately. How about a survey? Do you like your cereal crunchy or soft?
Anna says
I'm relieved to hear I'm not the only one feeling the heat. Katrina, your Cosmic Brownies look great! I may try them today.
Gina, I know what you mean about adding the chocolate chips. For some reason, I didn't feel compelled to add them to this recipe.
Gloria, they soften up a bit in these bars, but they're still pretty chewy.
Dawn, wow! Life changing weather? Cool.
Mackenzie, cheesecake is one of those things that sounds so great in this weather, but just not practical to bake.
Christine, let me know how your Raisin Bran experiment works out.
Jess, CW Post thought they gave off a grape-y aroma, but I wouldn't describe them as grape-y tasting. They have a malt and barley flavor.
Sarah and Louise, thanks for the new ideas. Louise, I think I could turn on the oven long enough to try that custard.
Louise says
Now that you are hooked on Grape Nuts, you'll want to try Grape Nuts Custard, an old New England favorite. Unfortunately I can't seem to find you a recipe that doesn't involve baking, so you'll just have to wait a while. http://www.yankeemagazine.com/recipes/search/onerecipe.php?number=640
Sarah says
Oooh, I love grape nuts! My favorite comfort food in the winter is a bowl of grape nuts and milk, heated in the microwave till it softens to a porridge-like consistency, and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Mmmmmm so good!
jess☆ says
Ohhhh I see!! Sounds really yum actually, I'm a fan of grape flavouring! Must begin hunting an Aussie version of it.. hehe
Anna says
Jess, it's cereal of crunchy little balls of wheat and barley made by Post. I'm sure there's an Australian equivalent, but I don't know what it is! CW Post named it Grape Nuts because he thought it smelled like grapes as it cooked.
jess☆ says
I'm guessing it's an American thing and I'm an Aussie, so I have to ask... what are "grape nuts"?! I'm intrigued...
Christine (Cook the Story) says
I'd forgotten that no-bake bars and cookies existed. In this Florida heat I think I'll start turning to them often. I don't have any grape nuts in the house but I might just try this with some Raisin Bran tonight! Darn, no corn syrup either. Raisin Bran and honey it is!
Mackenzie@The Caramel Cookie says
It's way too hot here to turn on my oven and I'm glad to see another no-bake recipe that is not cheesecake or oatmeal cookies.
vanillasugarblog says
Hmm. Really? Very interesting. Not hot here, finally we are getting nice weather for a change: no snow, no rain and no humidity--it's lifechanging. I need to get back int he kitchen and bake, it's been a few days now.
Gloria says
I used to love grape nuts, but they are too crunchy for my teeth now. I'll bet they soften up nice in this bar though!
Gina says
Yum - these sound good. They already have a decent amount of sugar in them, but I still think they're screaming for a handful (or two) of mini chocolate chips. 🙂 You can't go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate. I'll be trying these. Thanks for the recipe & review.
Katrina says
It's finally springing here--perfectly gorgeous today, about 65 degrees. I'm not missing that Midwest heat I know is happening. Sorry it's been too hot to even bake. No bake treats are definitely the best for that heat! I love Grape Nuts.