Description
Scrumptious pumpkin oatmeal cookie bars blend autumn spices with comforting textures. Warm cinnamon and nutmeg complement sweet pumpkin, creating an irresistible seasonal treat you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 ml) rolled oats
- ½ cup (120 ml) white whole wheat flour
- ½ cup (120 ml) creamy cashew butter
- ½ cup (120 ml) unsweetened pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) coconut sugar (or light brown sugar)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) chocolate chunks (+ more for topping, if desired)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1.5 tsps pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray, ensuring easy release.
- Dry Ingredients Blend: Combine rolled oats, white whole wheat flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Wet Ingredients Fusion: In a large bowl, whisk egg, cashew butter, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and well integrated, creating a creamy base.
- Batter Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a light, tender texture. If desired, fold in chocolate chunks for added decadence.
- Baking Process: Transfer batter to prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Optional chocolate chunks can be sprinkled on top for visual appeal and extra flavor.
- Oven Transformation: Bake for 18-22 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center – it should come out clean, indicating perfectly cooked bars.
- Cooling and Finishing: Allow bars to rest for 10 minutes, helping them set and stabilize. Sprinkle sea salt across the surface to elevate the flavor profile, then slice into individual servings.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients to maintain a light, tender texture and avoid dense, tough bars.
- Customize Sweetness: Adjust maple syrup or coconut sugar levels to control overall sweetness according to personal preference.
- Toothpick Test: Use the clean toothpick method to ensure perfect doneness, avoiding underbaked or dry cookie bars.
- Chocolate Enhancement: Optional chocolate chunks add rich decadence and create delightful flavor variations to the classic pumpkin oatmeal base.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg