Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Tbsp. + 1 1/2 cups gluten-free quick or rolled oats, divided
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light canned coconut milk
• 4 Tbsp. dairy-free margarine, divided
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp. flaxseeds
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch or tapioca starch
• 3/8 tsp. baking soda (1/4 tsp. above 3,000 ft.)
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. xanthan gum
• 2 Tbsp. applesauce
• 2/3 cup diced apple (about 1/2 medium apple, cored and peeled)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F, and grease and flour (any gluten-free flour) an 8×8-inch baking dish
2. Grind 1 1/2 Tbsp. of the oats in your spice grinder until they turn into flour
3. In a small pot, whisk together the oat flour and the brown sugar, followed by the coconut milk. Place the pot over medium heat, and whisk in 2 Tbsp. of the margarine.
4. When the sauce begins to bubble, continue to cook it for 5 minutes, whisking often.
5. Remove the pot from the heat. Whisk in the vanilla, and let it cool for 10 minutes
6. Meanwhile, place 1/2 cup of the oats and the flaxseeds in your spice grinder. Blend into flour
7. Place the oat-flax mixture into a medium sized bowl, and stir in the remaining 1 cup of oats, cornstarch or tapioca starch, baking soda, salt and xanthan gum.
8. Add the remaining 2 Tbsp. of margarine, the applesauce, and 1/2 cup of the cooling caramel sauce. Stir to combine
9. With slightly wet hands, press the sticky dough evenly into your prepared baking dish.
10. Top the dough with the diced apple, and gently press pieces into the dough. Drizzle the top of the dough with 2 tablespoons of the caramel sauce.
11. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cooked dough appears firm and slightly pulls away from the sides of the pan.
12. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before cutting into bars. They will still be a touch fragile, so be gentle when removing from the pan.
13. Enjoy the bars as is, plate them and drizzle with the remaining caramel sauce.