Delicious & Easy Pumpkin Bars

I don't know about you, but I love pumpkin stuff in the fall, and even into winter. These bars are a delicious dessert that I prepared for Thanksgiving, however, can be prepared at any time of the year especially right after Thanksgiving with all those left over Pumpkins!

As I have previously mentioned, using the best ingredients for your baked goods are not only delicious, but better for you. Have you ever eaten a pie, cake, or cookie and felt heavy in your stomach right after? When we eat the right ingredients, our body doesn't reject them. Our body welcomes good hearty food that will process and make us feel better after we eat it, not worse. So enjoy this recipe and try it out!

Makes: 24 Servings

INGREDIENTS

* 4 Eggs

* 1 Cup Coconut Raw Sugar or Brown Sugar (Light or Dark)

* 2/3 Cups Brown or Organic Granulated Sugar 

* 1 Cup Coconut Oil

* 1 Can Pumpkin

* 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

* 1/2 Cup Oat Flour

* 1/2 Cup Almond Flour

    - Tip: Remember! If you do not have almond or oat flour, don't worry. Just use whole wheat flour, feel free to experiment with other types of flour. Also, I like to make my own oat flour, it's really simple! Just place old fashioned oats in a food processor or bullet and voila! The same can be done for the almond flour.

* 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

* 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

* 2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

* 1 Tablespoon Milled or Whole Flax Seeds (optional)

* 1 Tablespoon Milled or Whole Chia Seeds (optional)

Icing

* 3 Ounces Greek Cream Cheese  or Cream Cheese of your choice (softened)

* 2 Cups Confectioners' Sugar

   - Tip: I love Trader Joe's organic powdered sugar, or you can easily make your own! 

     * 1 Cup Corn Starch

     * 2 Cups Brown or Coconut Sugar

     * Place both ingredients in a food processor or bullet and voila!

* 1/4 Cup Softened Coconut Oil or Butter

* 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

* 2 Tablespoons Milk

* Your Favorite Nut

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven at 350F.

2. In a large bowl beat the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin until well blended.

3. On a separate bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and optional seeds. 

4. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients with the pumpkin mixture until well combined. 

5. Pour the mix into your favorite ungreased baking pan, and bake for 25-30 minutes. 

6. While the bars are in the oven, begin making the icing.

7. In a small bowl, beat your favorite cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, coconut oil or butter, vanilla, and milk. Place in the fridge until the bars have completely finished baking.

8. Once the bars have completely baked and cooled, spread the icing over the bars. Sprinkle your favorite nut on top and store in the fridge!

-Tip: Allow bars to be stored in the fridge a couple of hours, though I recommend overnight. The  longer it remains in the fridge the better they taste. Enjoy!  

These are Lisa's Fit 4 Life tips! Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram under "Fit 4 Life," "Lisa Clepper," or "LISASFFL."

"Changing the way we eat, one cookie at a time!"