Maple Pecan Bars

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 ½ TBSP maple syrup
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• Water as needed, approximately 3/4 cup

Filling:

• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup vegan butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 TBSP ground flaxseeds
• 1 TBSP chia seeds
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 3 TBSP unsweetened almond milk
• 2 cups roughly chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking pan with parchment paper (or lightly spray with oil).
2. In large bowl, mix flour, maple syrup, olive oil, salt and water as needed until dough is formed.
3. Press dough into baking pan and bake for 15-20 minutes, until brown around edges.  Set aside to cool.
4. In a saucepan, heat maple syrup and vegan butter over medium heat, stirring often.
5. In a separate bowl, mix flaxseeds, chia seeds, vanilla, cornstarch and almond milk together until blended.  Add maple syrup-butter mixture and pecans.  Pour mixture on top of dough and use spatula to press mixture down firmly.
6. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
7. Cut into squares and serve.