Chocolate Chip Granola Breakfast Triangles

Chocolate for breakfast?  Oh yes.  These little treats are hearty enough and healthy enough to be considered breakfast in my opinion.  I love how great they go with a good cup of coffee.  They are also a  nice little afternoon snack.

This recipe is inspired by one I found in
Everyday Happy Herbivore: Over 175 Quick-and-Easy Fat-Free and Low-Fat Vegan RecipesShe calls them Granola Bars, but when I think of a granola bar, I want oowy, goo-ey and chewy!  These are not.  These are more like a hearty breakfast cookie.  They are not to sweet, which one of my girls complained about.  The other two loved them and so did I.  It was just a nice change to have a treat that is not overly sweet.

These triangles contain ingredients I always have on hand, so I will be making them often.  They are super easy, just throw all the ingredients into a bowl and stir!

Chocolate Chip Granola Breakfast Triangles
2 c of oats (her recipe called for instant, I used whole.  I'm not sure it matters..)
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 tbsp unsweetened applesauce (or sweetened, whatever you have)
6 tbsp honey (original recipe called for agave nectar, again whatever you have)
4 tbsp chocolate chips (vegan or regular)
2-4 tbsp sugar (optional) (taste the dough. Not sweet enough for you?  Add a bit of sugar)

Stir all ingredients together in a mixing bowl.  They will appear too dry at first, but they're not--keep mixing!

Once combined, let the batter rest while the oven preheats to 325 degrees.

Grease a bread pan and pack the mixture down firmly and tightly.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden, firm and light brown around the edges.

Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before cutting.  Cut into triangles.

Variation
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Breakfast Triangles
Substitute 1 tbsp of peanut butter for 1 tbsp of applesauce.  Combine peanut butter with applesauce and heat in the microwave for 10 seconds so peanut butter softens.  Whisk together and use as directed.