Pumpkin Granola bars...or Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal

I stumbled on this recipe when I found another blog to read. Snowhite show cased this blog in one of her Friday Favorites and these looked really good!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bars-shared from Two Peas in Their Pod
3 1/4 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup(I used maple syrup)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 inch pan.

In a large bowl whisk oats, spices, and salt together. In another bowl whisk brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, syrup, and vanilla. Pour over oats and mix until moist. Stir in chocolate chips. Evenly press mixture into pan. Bake for 30-35 mins or until golden brown. Make sure the center is set as the pumpkin keeps them moist but you don't want them raw in the middle. Cut using a sharp knife and cool on a rack.

**This reminded me more of a baked oatmeal than a granola bar. It could have been because I used quick oats and old fashioned, none the less it was delightfully delicious! I've been eating it broken into pieces with a splash of milk over the top.