Apricot, Almond and Dark Chocolate Cookie Bars

These bars are like trail mix in a cookie! Dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate come

together to make this delicious and healthy little treat that will keep you full during outdoor adventures.

Apricot, Almond and Dark Chocolate Cookie Bars [Vegan]

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds aka flaxmeal
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/3 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond butter
• 1/4 cup 100% pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup diced dried apricots
• 1/4 cup vegan dark chocolate chips or other vegan chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup chopped or sliced raw almonds
• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut shreds

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F. Line an 8x8x2 inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the water and ground flax seeds. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, coconut sugar, almond butter, maple syrup and vanilla. Set aside.
4. Place the oats, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt into your blender and blend until the oats become flour. Transfer to the mixing bowl with the liquid ingredients, then add the flax mixture you set aside earlier and stir until blended.
5. Stir in the apricots, chocolate chips and almonds. Transfer the mixture to your baking dish and use the back of a spoon or your hands to evenly spread it out to the edges of the dish. Sprinkle the coconut shreds evenly over top.
6. Bake for 20-22 minutes until firm in the center and golden brown around the edges, then cool completely before cutting into 16 squares.

Notes

A gluten free flour blend can be substituted to make this recipe gluten free

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/apricot-almond-and-dark-chocolate-cookie-bars-vegan/