Pumpkin Bar Recipe

Ingredients 

3 cups gluten free oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice 
1 cup canned pumpkin 
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (or sub 1/3 cup melted butter or coconut oil)
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar or coconut sugar 
1 tablespoon olive or melted coconut oil 
1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips, plus 2 tablespoons for sprinkling on top 

Instructions 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. 
2. Make oat flour: Place oatmeal into blender or food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes until oatmeal resembles flour. You may need to stop blender and stir oats a couple of times to ensure that all oats have been blended. 
3. Measure out just 2 1/2 cups of the oat flour and place in a medium bowl. Whisk in baking powder, salt and spices; set aside. 
4. In a separate large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla extract, oil, and applesauce for 1-2 minutes until the consistency is smooth and creamy. 
5. Slowly add in oat flour mixture and mix until just combined. 
6. Gently fold in 1/3 cup of chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan and sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips on top. 
7. Bake for 15-25 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Timing will depend on what size pan you use, but definitely check around 15 minutes. Once finished baking, cool 10 minutes on wire rack. 

Source: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/healthy-pumpkin-chocolate-chip-oat-bars-vegan-gluten-free/