Chocolate Pumpkin Brownie Bars
I opened a can of pumpkin last week. It’s already the second or third large can I’ve opened over the last month or so. I like putting a scoop of it in my morning healthy smoothie, since the smoothie is chocolate based, the pumpkin along with added pumpkin pie spices is a delicious combination. It’s been a while since I’ve actually made myself a treat and these turned out perfect. For the bars to be a recipe I just came up with and only made twice, I’m so happy. They are one of my favorite things I’ve made since going gluten free and refined sugar free. These also just happen to be vegan. I am in love. I’m making more almond butter (roasted almonds just came out of the oven) as I write this so I can make some more.
I don’t think anyone who doesn’t eat this healthier way would have a clue that these are grain free and vegan brownies with no sugar (just a little real maple syrup). They are perfectly fudgy with just the right amount of sweetness. As I’m planning to make them again today, I’m going to add some pecans or walnuts because I love brownies with nuts. These are so easy to make.
Chocolate Pumpkin Brownie Bars, Grain Free (Paleo), Vegan, Refined Sugar Free, by Katrina, Baking and Boys!
3/4 cup almond butter (I make it homemade and grind my own toasted almonds into butter)
3/4 cup 100% pumpkin puree
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons coconut flour
2 tablespoons raw cacao (or cocoa powder)
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or more if you really want that fall spices flavor, 1 teaspoon was barely detectable)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup chopped, toasted nuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with non stick foil (or regular foil, I just prefer the non stick), lightly greased with coconut oil. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the almond butter and pumpkin and whisk together until well combined. Add the maple syrup and vanilla and whisk well. In a small bowl, combine the coconut flour, cocoa powder, spices, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean, possibly with just some moist crumbs. Set on a wire rack to cool completely. Remove from pan using foil edges, cut on a cutting board into desired sized pieces. I prefer to store it in the refrigerator. They seem to be even fudgier cold from the refrigerator.
I’m so excited that as I finish up this post, the new brownie bars with added walnuts just came out of the oven. It smells divine in here. As blogging goes, it is just me, or does one post seem to take all day sometimes? I was doing many things while trying to get back to finishing this post, besides just making more of these brownies. Oh well, I suppose, such is life!