Pumpkin Chocolate Granola Bars
Yield: 8 Granola Bars
Ingredients:
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup sliced almonds
Directions:
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Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
Stir in the honey, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the oats, dried cranberries,
dark chocolate chips, and almonds, stirring until granola is evenly coated (granola will be moist).
Press the granola firmly down in the baking pan.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until lightly browned and no longer moist to the touch.
Allow the granola to cool completely before turning out on a cutting board. The bars will fall apart if not
completely cool (place the pan in a refrigerator to speed up the process).
Cut granola into 8 2x4-inch bars. Wrap the bars in parchment paper to make quick grab-and-go snacks.
For maximum freshness, store the granola bars in an airtight container.
Nutritional Facts:
Amount Per Serving
Calories 252
Total Fat 8.1g
Saturated Fat 3.3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 79.1mg
Total Carbohydrate 40.1g
Dietary Fiber 4.2g
Sugars 25g
Protein 4.2g
Vitamin A
31.8%
Calcium
4.8%
Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
12.5%
16.5%
0%
3.3%
13.4%
16.8%
Vitamin C
Iron
8.4%
3.4%
14.7%
• The bright orange color of a pumpkin is a
result of its rich source of beta-carotene,
a type of carotenoid. Health magazine
reported that the carotenoids in
pumpkins serve to neutralize freeradicals to keep cancer cells at bay and
can also help keep the skin wrinkle-free!
• Pumpkins are also a great source of
potassium (more than bananas) and may
be helpful after a hard workout.
Potassium works to restore the body’s
balance of electrolytes after a heavy
workout and keeps muscles functioning
at their best!
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
** Recipe adapted from Pastry Affair at
http://www.pastryaffair.com/blog/2011/11/26/pumpkin-chocolate-granola-bars.html