Chewy Organic Pumpkin Granola Bars with Chocolate Drizzle

Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and Vegan!

There are plenty of tasty reasons to move that pumpkin from the porch to the pantry, but this recipe might be at the top of the list. This quick and easy granola bar will have your home smelling delicious and your tummy feeling satisfied in no time. 

Did you know?

A cup of cooked, mashed pumpkin contains more than 200 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin A, which aids vision, particularly in dim light, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

Pumpkins are also rich in carotenoids, the compounds that give the gourd their bright orange color, including beta-carotene, which the body converts into a form of vitamin A. The antioxidant beta-carotene may play a role in cancer prevention, according to the National Cancer Institute. The same free-radical-neutralizing powers of the carotenoids in pumpkin that may keep cancer cells at bay can also help keep the skin wrinkle-free, Health magazine reported. 

Pumpkin is an often-overlooked source of fiber, but with three grams per one-cup serving and only 49 calories, it can keep you feeling full for longer on fewer calories. A fiber-rich diet seems to help people eat less, and thereby shed pounds.

Chewy Organic Pumpkin Granola Bars with Chocolate Drizzle

Yield: 10-12 granola bars                    Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 Cups Organic Rolled Oats
• 1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 Tsp Nutmeg
• 1/4 Tsp Cloves
• 1/2 Tsp Sea Salt
• 3/4 Cup Organic Coconut Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Organic Pumpkin Puree
• 1/4 Cup Organic Coconut Oil (Unrefined)
• 1/4 Cup Local Raw Honey
• 1 Tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Chocolate Drizzle:

• 1/4 Cup Organic Coconut Oil (Unrefined) Melted
• 1/4 Cup Organic Cacao (Unsweetened)
• Organic Maple Syrup *to taste*

Garnish with Organic Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 by 8 baking pan with cooking spray (I prefer Coconut oil spray from Trader Joe's) and set aside.
2. Mix oats, spices, and sea salt together in a large bowl. set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk coconut sugar, pumpkin, coconut oil (melted), honey, and vanilla extract together. Pour over oats mixture and stir well until oats are moist. 
4. Evenly press the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Let cool before cutting. 
5. Once bars have cooled, use a sharp knife to cut into rectangles. Drizzle each bar with chocolate sauce and dust with shredded coconut. Let set until chocolate is firm. Serve and enjoy!