Homemade Granola Bars

There's so many grocery items that we spend a lot of money on every week without realizing we can make those things at home ourselves. So I am starting my list of favorite grocery snacks with Pumpkin Granola Bars. And here comes my favorite word: EASY! Plus it's great to have a use for that last can of pumpkin lingering in the pantry.

Ingredients:
-3 1/4 cups rolled oats
-1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
-1/2 tsp cinnamon
-1/4 tsp nutmeg
-1/2 tsp salt
-3/4 cup brown sugar
-1/2 cup pumpkin puree
-1/4 cup applesauce
-1/4 cup honey
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1 cup chocolate chips (I used mini)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease an 8-inch baking pan and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oats, spices, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, honey, and vanilla until smooth. Add oat mixture and beat until oats are completely coated. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Press oat mixture into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread evenly. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden. Cool on a wire rack fro 5 minutes before cutting into bars and cooling completely.