Saturday, May 30, 2009

pb balls

These are a taste of childhood to me - my parents were into health food in the 70's and 80's way before it was trendy. We didn't eat sugar or bleached four, my mom used ground turkey instead of ground beef, and she convinced us (pretty easily) that plain natural yogurt was "ice cream." Our pizza crusts were whole wheat and our birthday cakes were carob.

So what did we eat for snackies? These puppies!

I asked my mom the other day exactly how she used to make them, and she couldn't remember anything other than peanut butter and raisins. When I saw this recipe in More with Less, I figured they were pretty similar to our childhood ones, and after I tasted just one, I was transported back to hot Florida summers, picking weeds, telling my mom they were flowers, and watching as she put them in water in a pretty vase.

You'll need:

1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 c. dry milk solids (aka powdered milk)
1 c. uncooked rolled oats (I used old fashioned)
plus I added some raisins

Do this:

Stir with a wooden spoon until it all gets too thick to mix anymore, then dig right in with your hands and mush it all around. Roll into balls. I halved the recipe and it still made 16 little balls. Store 'em in the fridge for a nice hot-weather treat.

Of course you could make these with your kids helping, but I wanted to have them ready before my little guys woke up from their naps. If you have a cranky bambino after naptime, these little numbers will put a big smile on his face! Guaranteed.

What did you used to eat for snacktime as a kid?

9 comments:

K and S said...

mmm these look familiar. we used to eat energy bars, refrigerator cookies (no bake), tollhouse cookies, apple with cheese & pb, peanut butter banana sandwiches...

Ivy said...

These can't get any more healthier, perfect for a snack.

Kim said...

I remember making these a long time ago!!! We did a lot of PB sandwiches with...brown sugar. Not on the health food list, I'm sure, but...yummy!

FOODalogue said...

No hardship there. They sound delish!

pigpigscorner said...

This looks like a wonderful snack! I used to eat lots of toast with condensed milk.

Reeni said...

These are so delicious!! Perfect little treats for when it's hot out.

Cate said...

ohhhh, yum. a friend from high school just sent me a similar recipe. she thinks of them as energy bars. i will definitely try this one. the grits casserole btw??? super yummy. and so very easy. it's going into my file for weekly recipes.

Cate said...

gave you an award on my blog. go take a peek.

Abigail (aka Mamatouille) said...

K and S - How did you make the refrigerator cookies? Sounds yummy, and especially in the summer I do NOT like to use my oven.

Ivy - They are so healthy and VERY snackable. I can't stop!

Kim - Never had pb and brown sugar but sounds nice!

Joan - These are definitely delish and I think I'll make them again today!

Pigpigscorner - I've never heard of toast with condensed milk but sounds nice and sweet. Did you soak the toast in the milk? Or dip?

Reeni - Yes, they're good room temp or cold - either way I eat too many of them!

Cate - Glad you liked the grits casserole! And these pb balls - VERY good for boosting energy. I have low blood sugar problems and these are great for helping me. Thanks again for the award! I'll write my 7 things soon. Stay posted! :)