Cashew Cacao Granola Bars

Vegan. Dairy Free. Whole Food. Healthy Homemade Granola Bars.

I feel like I've barely cooked in weeks, so I decided to break out my old standbys and make some of my all-time favorite things! This is one of my go-to snacks - Cashew Cacao Granola Bars (or muffins if you prefer)! Super quick, super easy, and everyone I make these for gobbles them up so you know even though they're healthy, they're legit!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup natural cashew butter

• ¼ cup 100% pure maple syrup

• ¼ cup brown rice syrup

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2 cups whole rolled oats (not quick-cooking or instant)

• 1 T. Cacao powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with a 10-inch square of parchment paper or a 12-cup muffin pan with cup liners.

2.. In a small saucepan, mix together the cashew butter, maple syrup, and brown rice syrup. Gently heat the mixture over LOW heat, just until it’s warm enough for the ingredients to become smooth.

3. Remove from heat. Let the mixture cool a bit so that it’s still warm, but not hot (1-2 mins). Mix in the vanilla, then add the oats, cacao, salt and cinnamon and mix very well.

4. Now, wet your hands and firmly press the oats into the pan for bars or scoop via spoon into muffin cups. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the sides of the bars and lightly browned. 15 minutes leaves them a little gooier in the middle, 18 for you crunchy peeps!

5. Remove the pan from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. Slice for bars. Store in air tight container at room temp. Eat!