Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

I can not believe how quickly this recipe came together! I think it took me all of 5 minutes to prep the recipe.

Note: the original recipe called for ¾ cup brown sugar and I cut it back to 2/3. It also called for 1 cup of chocolate chips and I only put in ½ cup because I’m not crazy about too many chocolate chips in my granola bar. Other than the two changes I made, it’s a solid recipe for chewy granola bars!

Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Ingredients:
3 1/4 C rolled oats
1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/2 t salt
2/3 C brown sugar
1/2 C pumpkin puree
1/4 C applesauce
1/4 C honey
1 t vanilla extract
1/2 C mini chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease an 8-inch baking pan and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oats, spices, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, honey, and vanilla until smooth. Add oat mixture and beat until oats are completely coated. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Press oat mixture into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread evenly. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden. Cool on a wire rack fro 5 minutes before cutting into bars and cooling completely.

Source: Adapted from The Sweet’s Life