Banana-Kissed Chocolatey Cookie Bars

I was in the mood for vegan Kahlua brownies on Sunday. After sifting through cookbooks and my cabinets, I realized it could not be done easily enough to suit my tastes. Instead, I decided to veganize a cookie bar recipe that I'd never tried before. The result is seriously one of the most delicious things I've made in a long, long time. They are vegan, but you'd never guess it!

(Sorry for the green image. There is no such thing as good lighting in my apartment.)

Here's the recipe:

Banana-Kissed Chocolatey Cookie Bars

• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  
• 3/4 cup vegan butter, softened (I like Earth Balance)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 a banana, mashed
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) dark chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray, grease, and/or line a 9"x13" baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and banana until creamy. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Spread batter in baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool, then cut into bars. Makes about 24 servings of this:

I have eaten so many of these since Sunday. I won't tell you the exact number because then you'll know what a pig I am! You should definitely try them, though. You won't be disappointed.