Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars

By S. Danford

Ingredients

• 3 cups gluten free oats
• 2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/4 t salt
• 1 1/4 t cinnamon
• 1/8 t nutmeg
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 t pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/3 plus 2 T vegan chocolate chips, divided

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350
Spray a 9x9 baking pan with cooking spray
Place oats in a blender or food processor and blend until the consistency resembles flour.
Add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pulse to combine.
In a separate bowl whisk together the pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla and applesauce until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the oat flour until just combined.
Fold in 1/3 cup of the chocolate chips.
Pout the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.
Bake for 15-20 min or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Cut into squares.