Banana cookie bars V 2.0

In which banana, oatmeal, and shredded coconut become very good friends! A vegan optional, wholesome cookie with some traditional appeal.

2 cups mashed banana -- try to use very ripe ones
1/2 cup melted butter (or coconut oil -- my personal preference)
1/2 cup coconut sugar (optional) (2 cups banana will make this quite sweet but for something with a rich deeper sweetness, use the coconut sugar too)

1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp ground vanilla bean (plus 1 tbsp vanilla extract if you are vanilla fiend)

2 cup shredded coconut
3 cups oat flakes


directions:

1. combine the ingredients in the order listed
2. pat out the mixture onto a lined baking sheet (I use a silicone baking mat on my baking sheet, but parchment would be fine, too)
3. score into 36 bar shapes (6 x6)
4. bake at 345 for 30 minutes
5. cool
6. make sure bars are cut fully
7. store in an airtight container in the fridge