Chewy Granola Bars - Egg Free!

I have been making homemade granola bars for about 2 years now. There are a ton of recipes out there - some more crunchy and crumbly and some more chewy and cake-like. This recipe yields a chewy granola bar that is texturally like a bar cookie or brownie. So decadent! The original recipe used one egg. While planning a trip with a friend whose daughter has a severe egg allergy, I tried using applesauce instead. I prefer that way and will not use egg in these again. I hope you enjoy!

Chewy Granola Bars:

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

• 1/4 cup applesauce (homemade or all natural)
• 3 T honey
• 2 t vanilla extract

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/4 t salt

• 1 1/2 cup crisp rice cereal
• 1 1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats
• 1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 and prepare a 9x13 pan by spraying the bottom and sides with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar
3. Add in the applesauce, vanilla, and honey and blend until smooth
4. Mix together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl and then add to mixture. Mix just until incorporated.
5. Add in the cereal, oats, and chocolate chips. Use a large spoon or spatula to mix everything together. The blades on a mixer will crush the cereal.
6. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 25-27 minutes or unitl lightly brown on edges.
7. Cool completely in pan, cut into bars and store at room temperature in an airtight container up to a week.

This recipe is linked to Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. Enjoy!