Bars:
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 cups oats (quick oats work best)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil
1/2-2/3 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you want)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon chocolate or coconut extract, optional
1-3 tablespoons nondairy milk
1/2 cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips
1/4-1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut Glaze, optional:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon black cocoa powder
1-2 tablespoons coconut milk
splash vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and spray an 8 x 8" baking dish with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda and powder, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, combine applesauce, oil, sugar, vanilla,and other extract (if using). Add wet to dry and mix until combined. The mixture will be very thick, so add milk a little at a time until it holds together well.
3. Fold in coconut (reserving a small portion for the top) and chocolate chunks. Press into baking dish and sprinkle over remaining coconut.
4. Bake for 21-23 minutes. If using glaze, whip together glaze ingredients with a fork. Spread on bars while still slightly warm.
You could also melt some chocolate chips and spread that over the top. Sometimes I'm even more decadent and put toasted coconut on top of the glaze!
Servings: 9 large squares or 12 smaller ones,