In anticipation of Thursday’s National Granola Bar Day – we’re offering up an easy recipe that everyone can make and enjoy! Often, granola bars are filled with sugar and other things that we just don’t want to eat. This one uses maple syrup and just a bit of brown sugar to bring sweetness to the table. And OH! Pumpkin, too. Naturally sweet pumpkin adds body to this recipe without having to add butter or other fats.
Pumpkin Pie Spice, a mixture of warm baking spices is a power-packed addition to the bars. The spice has a myriad of individual spices, all of which bring health benefits to the granola bars. Cinnamon and ginger are good for upset stomach and nausea. Nutmeg can sooth indigestion and help with skin health. Finally, ground cloves can help protect your stomach from health issues. It is also known for promoting good liver function. So to celebrate this upcoming granola bar day enjoy making and eating these yummy bars!
Pumpkin Granola Bars
- 3 Cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- ¼ Cup Whole Wheat Flour
- 2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice, OR 1 Tsp Cinnamon, ½ Tsp Ginger, ¼ Tsp Nutmeg, ¼ Tsp Ground Cloves
- ½ Tsp Sea Salt
- 1 Cup Pumpkin Puree, not pumpkin pie filling
- ½ Cup Maple Syrup, the darker the better
- ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Tsp Vanilla
- ¾ Cup Chopped Dates, (I like the prechopped for this recipe)
- ½ Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, (I toasted them in a 400F oven for 5 minutes)
Step One
Preheat the oven to 350F. Oil an 8 x 8 baking pan and cover the bottom with parchment
Step Two
In a large bowl, mix the oats, flour, spice mixture and salt together.
Step Three
In a smaller bowl, mixt the pumpkin, syrup, sugar and vanilla together.
Step Four
Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry mixture. Add the dates and seeds. Combine well and pat into the prepared pan. Place in the 350F oven and cook for 20 – 25 minutes until firm. Let cool before cutting.