Chewy Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars

So I realized I have a problem. I have a hard time with moderation. For example, my last five or so blog posts have been about food. And if you look at all the posts before, there is NO food. Just ALL crafts...for a long time. I get my head into something and get a little obsessive. So yes, right now I'm obsessed with cooking. But I do have some good crafty things coming up soon! So bear with my obsessive behaviors! ;)

But you should be pleased to know, these baby's are DELISH!!! I came up with this recipe while looking at all kinds of recipes for pumpkin granola bars. I combined a few ideas together to come up with a bar that had all the things I was looking for 1)chewiness, 2)pumpkin spices, 3) and CHOCOLATE!

Chewy Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars

1 1/2 cups oats, 1/2 ground oats
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/3 cup honey (or agave)
1/2 tsp. molasses (optional)
3 tbsp. maple syrup (I used sugar free)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup almonds, chopped
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
1/3 cup dried cranberries

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees (for crunchy 325). Grind 1/2 cup of your oats into a magic bullet or food processor until about the consistency of flour.  Combine the  1 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup oat flour, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, and 1/4 tsp. salt. 

2. In another mixing bowl, combine 2/3 cup pumpkin puree, 1/3 cup honey, 3 tbsp. maple syrup, and 1 tsp. vanilla, and molasses (optional). Whisk until smooth and add to dry ingredients. Stir until dry ingredients are mixed into the wet ingredients. Add in your chocolate chips, almonds, and dried cranberries.  

3. Grease a 9×9 pan. Using your hands, press the granola mixture into the pan. Bake oven for 20 minutes (maybe less if you're baking them at 325 for crunchiness). Allow time to cool before cutting. Cut into 12 small bars and enjoy!

This recipe is for chewy granola bars. If you like 'em crispy, try upping your oven temp to about 325 degrees. 

NOW GO MAKE SOME!

Monday: Sew Can Do, Graphics Fairy,  Mad In Crafts, It's So Very Cheri, Skip To My Lou, The Girl Creative,  DIY Showoff, Making The World Cuter,  Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Keeping It Simple, Trendy Treehouse,   

Tuesday: Sweet Floweret, Hope Studios,

Wednesday: Sugar Bee,  Silly Little Sparrow, Today's Creative Blog,  

Thursday:Someday Crafts,  The Thrifty Home, 

Friday:Beyond The Picket Fence, Train To Crazy,  733,  Shabby Cottage,  Fireflies and Jellybeans, Somewhat Simple, Thirty Handmade Days,  Shabby Nest, 

Hodgepodge Friday,  Fun To Craft,  Tidy Mom, Finding Fabulous, Fingerprints on the Fridge,  Simply Sweet Home, 

Chic On a Shoe String,  Kojo Designs.

Saturday: Show and Tell,  I Am Only One Woman, The Hungry Hippo, Funky Junk Interiors, Saturday Spotlight @ Craft Envy.