I have a dear, dear friend named Jess.  We’ve been friends for many years, and during the time we’ve been friends, she was diagnosed with Celiac disease.  So, I’ve done a bit of gluten-free baking for her, but my eyes were certainly opened to the food hurdles she has to jump through when we traveled together last summer.

Gluten-free baking is… tricky.  It takes some improvisation and some knowledge.  You have to educate yourself about alternative flours and such.

But if you have someone that needs a gluten-free treat, have no fear.  These are so easy!

I’ve had these bars a few times in my life — at least I think I have …?  When I had them last year around Christmas time (for the first time in eons), they tasted so familiar.  And I made a mental note to find and file this recipe in the gluten-free section of my recipe book, because they’re super quick to make and they’re totally yummy.  Best of both worlds, right?  They’re like a peanut buttery version of a Rice Krispy treat, for crying out loud!

I recently attended a birthday gathering where the guest of honor, my sweet new friend Julie, has Celiac’s as well.  I made a big plate of these bars for her.  The next time I make them, I think I’ll try a different kind of nut butter — I think they’d be equally amazing with almond or cashew butter.  Oh.  Yeah.

Make these and share them with your friends who can’t (or can) do gluten — they’ll love them and so will you.

Gluten-Free Nutty Bars

Recipe via Saffrons

You will need:

1 c. sugar

1 c. peanut butter

1 c. light corn syrup

1/2 t. vanilla

1 T. butter

7 to 8 c. Corn Flakes

1. Line a 9×13″ pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. In a large pot, bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil.

3. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, vanilla, butter, and then Corn Flakes (I added 2 cups at a time until they were the right consistency).

4. Pour mixture into pan and press in, creating an even layer.

5. Allow to cool completely.  Remove from pan, gently peeling off parchment.  Slice into bars.  Store in an airtight container.