Healthy Pumpkin Pie Bars

Pumpkin Pie Bars

These delectable pumpkin pie bars are exquisitely spiced, naturally sweetened, suitable for vegetarians, and free of gluten and dairy, ensuring a delightful treat for all!

Ingredients

Crust:

1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup raw pecans
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup melted coconut oil, plus additional for greasing

Filling:

15 oz can pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
A pinch of ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 baking dish with coconut oil, then line it with parchment paper.
Commence by preparing the crust. In a food processor, blend the rolled oats and pecans until they form a flour-like meal.
After blending, transfer the oatmeal and pecan mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add ginger, cinnamon, and sea salt, and mix them together.
Incorporate vanilla extract, maple syrup, and coconut oil into the mixture. Stir until a thick, cohesive mixture forms.
Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and firmly press it into the bottom, covering all corners evenly. Using a fork, pierce the bottom of the crust in several places. Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes until it becomes lightly golden around the edges of the pan.
Once the crust has baked, allow it to cool for approximately 5 minutes.
While the crust cools, prepare the filling. Combine all the filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl, whisking until thoroughly combined. Set the filling aside.
Once the crust has cooled, pour the filling mixture onto the crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until the center is set.
After baking, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely before slicing into 9 squares.
These pumpkin pie bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.