It wouldn’t be January unless someone, somewhere, was baking cookies! Here in coastal California, it’s raining like it hasn’t rained yet this winter. Definite cookie-baking weather.

I took the recipe from the rolled oats box, and tweaked it. Here’s what I ended up with:

Applesauce Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9″ by 13″ glass baking dish. Combine 1/4 cup vegetable oil (I used Canola oil), 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. In a small separate bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Add to the first mixture and blend well. Add 3 cups oats and 1 cup chocolate chips. Mix well. Spread evenly in baking dish and bake for 20 minutes. Cool. Cut into 24 2″ squares. This recipe can be adapted in many different ways with your favorite oatmeal cookie ingredients!