Granola Bars with Chocolate Peanut Butter Drizzle

When was the last time to took a peek at the ingredients list on the box of granola bars in your cupboard?   Making your own is not only much healthier but also super easy.  As an added bonus, it tastes WAY better too.  
I find a way to add chocolate to everything.  I love chocolate, and for good reason!   It is a source of iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc & antioxidants.   It has been shown to lower blood pressure, increase HDL while lowering LDL cholesterol, and boosts serotonin production = better mood!   

Tip:  this only applies when you buy dark chocolate - ie over 70% cocao, NOT your average bar in the grocery line up. 

In just a few minutes you can have a tray of these ready to enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

Granola Bars:

• 1 Cup shaved almonds

• 2 Cups oats
• 1 Cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 Cup coconut oil
• 1/3 Cup applesauce
• 1/4 Cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 Tsp vanilla
• 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS:

Toast oats for 10 minutes @ 350 for added flavor prior to mixing with other ingredients. 
Combine almonds, oats, & coconut in a bowl.  In a saucepan melt the coconut oil & remove from heat.  Add the remaining  ingredients and stir well.   Add the coconut oil mixture to the oat mixture and mix well so that all of the dry ingredients are moist.
Press into a greased baking pan and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.   Remove from heat and cool. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce:

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp peanut butter (optional due to allergies for school lunches etc - add an extra tbsp of coconut oil if you are omitting peanut butter)
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 Cup organic cacao powder
  1 Tsp vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS:
Melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan, remove from heat & add in the remaining ingredients stirring well. 

Drizzle the chocolate sauce on the cooled granola bars & place pan in fridge for about 1 hour.   Cut, serve and enjoy!  

Tip:  Store in fridge.   Bars can be frozen for later use to to keep their consistency in a lunch box.