Vegan Chocolate Chunk Coconut Bars

This is a recipe that some of my non-vegan friends have requested - they are always a hit!   What's good about this recipe is that you can modify to whatever your taste is or what you have on hand; add some dried fruit with, or in place of, the chocolate chips.  These puff-up nicely when baking yet still have a dense chewy texture.

¾  cup whole wheat flour (spelt flour works well here, too)

1 ½ cups quick oats

½  tsp baking soda

¼  tsp baking powder

¼  tsp salt

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp canola oil

2/3 cup agave nectar

1 tsp vanilla

1-3 tbsp almond milk 

1 cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips

½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut

Preheat oven to 375 and line an 8x8 baking dish with aluminum foil, allowing foil to hang over two sides.

In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking soda and powder and salt.  Add applesauce, oil, agave and vanilla; mix until combined.  

Mixture will be thick and may be dry; if so, add almond milk a little at a time until it holds together well.  

Fold in coconut and chips and pour into baking dish.  Push into dish and smooth top.   

Bake for 21-23 minutes.  

Cut into 16 small squares or 12 larger squares and enjoy.