Pumpkin Granola Bars

by Heather H. of Kitchen Concoctions: www.kitchen-concoctions.com 

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30-45 minutes Yields: approximately 12 bars

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

¼ cup flax seeds

¼ cup wheat germ

½ cup dried cranberries

½ cup pecans, chopped

½ cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)

2 tablespoons coconut oil

½ cup pumpkin puree

¼ cup applesauce

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, flax seeds, wheat germ, cranberries, pecans, and pepitas. Stir until mixed.  

Melt coconut oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Stir in pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup and honey. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt. Once pumpkin mixture is done cooking, pour over the oat mixture. Stir to mix thoroughly.

Spread granola mixture into one even layer in prepared pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes for chewy granola bars or for 40-50 minutes for crunchy granola bars, or until granola bars are golden brown.

Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars. Store bars in an air-tight container.