S'mores Protein Granola Bars

S’mores granola bars

5 Cups rolled oats

2 Cups whole wheat flour

½ Cup raw sugar

½ Cup chopped pecans

2 Tbsp cocoa powder

1/4 tsp salt 

2 scoops EQUIVALENT+ Here (chocolate or Vanilla protein shake mix or one scoop of each)

Mix in Kitchenaid Mixer on slow speed

In a separate stainless steel bowl:

1/3 Cup olive oil

1/3 Cup coconut oil

2/3 Cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp molasses

¼ Cup butter

Melt over low heat and stir, cool to slightly warm (so as not to melt the chocolate chips when mixing), add to dry ingredients and mix until evenly mixed.

Add:  ½ - 3/4 Cup white chocolate chips

         ½ - 3/4 Cup dark chocolate chips (we like the mini semi-sweet)

Mix in

Add:  ¾ Cup Pear puree

Mix just until combined, but still “Loose”, not a clump of clay

Press into a lightly greased (or “olive-oiled”) 10 x 16 bar pan (or similar) using a large spoon, spatula, curved scraper, or whatever with a constantly-renewed light coating of olive oil so it doesn’t stick too much.  Cut now into desired serving sizes.

Bake at 375° for 10 minutes, then reduce to 350° and bake for another 20 minutes (we do convection bake at 350° for 10 min. then turn the pan around and bake at 325° for 10 then turn again for another 10).  Cool and eat.

Recipe created by Matt Heaton, inspired by Amy Heaton