I found this recipe in an issue of Wondertime magazine, the only parenting magazine I really like.  It instantly became a regular feature in our house — the kids cannot get enough of these.  It’s hard to explain what they are.  Are they a no-bake cookie?  A homemade energy bar?  Whatever they are, they are delicious:

Powerballs
1 c. peanut butter
1/2-3/4 c. honey (or brown rice syrup; they will be less sweet)
3 c. old-fashioned oats
1/2 c. ground flaxseed
2 c. any combination of nuts and soft dried fruits

Stir together peanut butter and honey until smooth.  Gradually add in oats, flaxseed, and nuts/fruit.  If mixture is really crumbly, add a little bit extra honey in.  Wet your hands with a little water to minimize sticking, and roll into ping-pong size balls.  Keep in the refrigerator.  They freeze well too.

I like that these are a treat, but yet have some healthful ingredients and a “slower burn” — lower glycemic index — than standard cookies.  And they taste just like cookie dough.  Here are a couple fruit/nut combo ideas:

1 c. chopped dates / 1 c. chopped mixed nuts
1/2 c. coconut / 1/2 c. chopped dried bananas / 1/2 c. chocolate chips / 1/2 c. walnuts

I usually just use up whatever dried fruit and “stuff” we have on hand.  Dried apricots, craisins, dried apple rings, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, etc.  Nuts could be omitted altogether.

Adam doesn’t like these to be super sweet so he uses 1/4 – 1/2 c. honey at most and just adds a little water if it’s too crumbly.