Nutty Oatmeal-Chocolate Bars

1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup natural cane sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 medium eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips or raisins

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together syrup, sugar, butter, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla. In a medium bowl, mix together cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, oats, flour, and walnuts. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until just moistened. Add chocolate chips or raisins and stir again until evenly distributed. Do not overmix.
3. Spread mixture evenly in pan. Bake on center rack for about 20 minutes. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes on a wire rack before slicing.

Sources: James Rouse, ND, and Debra Rouse, ND.

PER SERVING: 158 cal, 30% fat cal, 5g fat, 2g sat fat, 21mg chol, 5g protein, 24g carb, 3g fiber, 104mg sodium