Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

This may seem like a lot of work at first glance, but trust me, after the first time, it takes hardly any effort at all. The benefit? You get an amazing, rich, chocolaty and relatively healthy snack. Needless to say, all ingredients should be organic and unrefined.

GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE-CHOCOLATE CHIP GRANOLA BARS

This is a two-day project, but the actual time invested is minimal.

INGREDIENTS

List 1

3 cups rolled oats (I like Bob's Red Mill Organic Extra Thick)
1 1/2 cups blanched cashews or pecans
1 1/2 cups sunflower seeds
1 teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar

List 2

3/4 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup coconut oil
5 pitted dates
2 tablespoons of cacao powder (I like TerrAmazon Organic Cacao Powder)
1/2 tsp vanilla

List 3

1/2 cup chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate chips)
1/2 cup dried blueberries or cherries (optional)

Evening of day one - 

Take the ingredients on List 1, place in a large bowl and cover with water and a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar. Let sit on the counter overnight.

Day two -

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Drain and rinse the pre-soaked ingredients. Squeeze out the excess water. Place in a food processor. Add the ingredients from List 2 and give it a good whirl. If you like your granola bars more like cake, let the blender go longer. If you want some texture and crunch, leave the batter lumpy.
3. Add List 3 and mix by hand.
4. Spread in a thin layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 1 hour.
5. Remove from oven and cut into bars.
6. Cool on a wire rack.