- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted for 3-5 minutes stirring constantly in a pan. (remove from heat after)
- 3/4 cup raw almonds ground into coarse flour consistency
- 2/3 cup dried apricots (no stones)
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- Zest of whole orange (save 1 tsp. of zest to garnish the bars later)
- Juice from half an orange, freshly squeezed (approximately 1/4 cup)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- Preheat oven to 350 *
- Add toasted pecans, ground almonds and apricots into a food processor, and pulse into rough chunks then transfer into a large bowl.
- Into the large bowl add the rest of ingredients combining everything else and mix well by hand.
- Place parchment paper into a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
- Lightly spray the parchment paper with baking spray.
- Pour into the baking pan, and spread batter evenly, batter will be moist.
- Bake 25 – 30 minutes until there’s a golden crust.
- Let cool before drizzling or cutting into squares.
Drizzle
- Melt 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips in a double boiler, or bowl, safely set over a pot of simmering water.
- Stir the chocolate, don’t let it burn.
- When completely melted, drizzle over the top of the Orange Oaty Bars and sprinkle the reserved 1 tsp. orange zest over the chocolate. Enjoy!