Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars

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Fall is one of my favorite times of the year and also my excuse to add pumpkin to everything.

Recipe yields 12 standard size bars

Ingredients:
2 cups of brown puffed rice
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup Milled Flaxseed
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds in shell
1/2 cup honey
2/3 cup raw sugar or brown sugar
2 tsp pure Mexican vanilla
1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 Tb coconut oil
2 TB puréed pumpkin
1 8 by 8 inch pan

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 and place oats, walnuts, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds on parchment lined pan. Roast for 4 minutes and stir and roast for 4 more minutes.

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Place all ingredients on the pan into the food processor along with dried cranberries. Pulse the food processor 6 to 7 times to desired consistency. Place the dry pulsed ingredients in a large bowl with dried cranberries, and puffed brown rice set aside.

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In the meantime over medium to high heat in a 2 quart sauce pan, heat honey, sugar, salt, puree pumpkin, coconut oil and pumpkin pie spice to a simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

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Pour warm sauce over dry ingredients and fold to incorporate.

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Place mixture in an 8 by 8 inch parchment lined (overhang the paper to make for easy cutting later) baking dish using a spatula to press to even the batter throughout.

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Cover and let rest for 2-3 hours to set.

Remove from dish using parchment paper as a handle.

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Cut evenly using a sharp knive into 12 bars. Enjoy!

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