PayDay Bars (Sugar free option) (UPDATED)

I saw this reminder of a favorite dessert of mine at Erin's "Making Memories....One Fun Thing after Another" and her name for this fabulous treat is O'Henry (Where Have You Been All Of My Life) bars - she's funny like that!

And obviously, while making memories, she makes wonderful recipes too.

This has been a very favorite recipe of mine for some time. I got it from my dear friend Janean, who often makes it for ladies gatherings. I simply cannot! resist it either.

(In the original recipe, directions say to boil this mixture 1 minute - the change is that you just heat sugar and corn syrup until sugar is dissolved.  This makes for a better texture that is sticky and not as hard.)

When I made it for a bake sale a few years ago, folks returned the second day wondering if we had more Payday Bars.  *-*  (Yes, I had made more!)

It's a quick and easy dish to whip up anytime.

This is the most repeated recipe in my kitchen and is also in my first cookbook.

I have enjoyed serving this for samples at my booksignings.  No one can resist the wonderful smell of these tasty treats! It's a real 'drawing card' of interest.

I tell everyone to make these when someone is at home, otherwise no one else will ever know you made them, because they'll be G-O-N-E!

They're irresistible for sure!

One of my sister-in-loves recently told me you can purchase sugar-free honey.  Of course, it isn't true honey, but it's an awesome substitute for karo syrup.

Here's proof...

This time I used Splenda and the sugar free honey for the base.

HOLY PAYDAY BARS BATMAN!! (or BATWOMAN!=)

(UPDATE: I'm not sure 'sugar free honey' is even available in stores any more....just wanted you to know). 

Feel free to use full-sugar products if you want...or make it reduced sugar or even sugar free.  Your choice!

Honestly, the only difference I can tell is that the sugar free are not quite as sticky as sugar full. 

But either way - this is something you'll want to make often.

Enjoy every tasty delicious fantastic awesome bite!

(My sis-in-love has frozen these, and I was amazed I couldn't even tell!)

OK...OK...I'll get to the recipe now...

These are the sugar free ones

 PAYDAY BARS
(From The Better Baker)

1 cup white sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
1 tsp. vanilla extract
6 cups Rice Chex
(I use about 7-1/2)...there's enough of the gooey sauce to cover more than 6 cups
1 c. nuts, optional

Lightly grease a 9" X 13" X 2" dish. Measure cereal into a large bowl.  In medium saucepan, heat sugar and corn syrup until sugar is dissolved - do not boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until well blended.  Pour over cereal (& nuts if using) and mix well. Press into prepared dish.  Cool and cut.  (If you can wait!)

Oh how I love licking the pan!

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