PUMPKIN, ALMOND, CHOCOLATE GRANOLA BARS (GLUTEN FREE)

Pumpkin, Almond, Chocolate Granola Bars (Gluten Free) image

Provided by BecR2400

Time 50m

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

5 cups old fashioned oats (for gf check pckg it hasn't been prepared with equipment which makes products containing gluten)
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup wheat germ (leave out for gluten-free bars)
1 cup dried fruit (I used apricots and cranberries)
1/2 cup toasted seeds (I used sunflower and pumpkin)
1 cup pumpkin puree (I boiled a pumpkin, skinned it and pureed it in a food processor)
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C Butter a 10" by 10" baking pan and line with baking paper.
In a large bowl, mix oats, spices, dried fruit, almonds, seeds, choc chips, wheatgerm, and salt together. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour over oats and stir well, until all of the oats are moist.
Evenly press oat mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 15 minutes.
Remove from the pan by lifting the parchment paper.
Using a sharp knife, cut into bars.