Maple oat bar cookies topped with brown sugar and maple syrup coated pecans.

Maple Pecan Oatmeal Bars

Bars:
2 1/4 cups quick or old fashioned oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (about 6-ounces)
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup maple syrup

1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
2. For bars, combine oats, flour, sugar, coconut, if desired, baking soda and salt in large bowl; mix well. In small bowl, combine butter, syrup, egg and vanilla; mix well. Add to oat mixture; mix well. (Dough will be stiff.) Press dough evenly onto bottom of prepared pan.
3. For topping, combine pecans and sugar in small bowl; mix well. Sprinkle evenly over dough, pressing down lightly. Drizzle evenly with syrup.
4. Bake 35 to 38 minutes or until edges are set but center is soft. (Do not overbake.)
5. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered.

Makes 32 bars.