Chocolate Granola Bars

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Quick Oats
• 1/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
• 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
• 2 -3 tablespoons Water
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 cup Roasted Almonds
• 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Chips
• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil

Instructions

1. 1Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Lightly oil the paper and pan using cooking oil spray. Set aside.
2. 2Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
3. 3In a mixing bowl, add quick oats, unsweetened cocoa powder, fresh drippy peanut butter, maple syrup, 2 tablespoons of water, and vanilla extract.
4. 4Use a rubber spatula to stir, then lightly oil your hands and squeeze the batter to bring everything together. It should form a dough that is hard, look a bit dry, but it shouldn't be crumbly.
5. 5If crumbly (this could be because your nut-butter jar was a bit old and has less oil, or the quick oats are finer than mine), add the extra tablespoon of water or olive oil, both work.
6. 6Knead until you form a ball that holds together.
7. 7Place the chocolate dough in the center of the pan, press with your oiled fingers to spread all over the pan. To make a thin even layer, use something flat, like the lid of a pot of jam. Press it on the dough and swirl around to form a smooth, single, even layer
8. 8Bake the bars for 12 minutes at 350°F (180°C) on the center rack of the preheated oven.
9. 9Let them cool down in the pan for 10 minutes at room temperature, then lift the pieces of parchment paper to transfer the bar to a chopping board.
10. 10Use a long, sharp knife to cut the lukewarm bar into 12 pieces. It might crumble a bit on the sides, but if you cut it warm, it shouldn't happen too much.
11. 11If you want to decorate the bar, place the dark chocolate and olive oil in a glass bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until fully melted.
12. 12Drizzle melted dark chocolate on top of the cut bars, and add a few whole roasted almonds on top of the melted chocolate if you like.
13. 13Place the bars in the freezer for 12 minutes to set the chocolate and harden.