I love Autumn with it’s crisp, cool air, spendidly hued leaves and the plethora of warmly spiced Fall recipes that begin to appear…..you know Autumn has landed when pumpkin spiced lattes appear to warm us up in cozily lit coffee shops and cinnamon lingers in the air.
Pumpkin recipes galore are appearing and not to be outdone, here we have some crazily healthy vegan Pumpkin Maple Oaty Nut Bars that are a perfect pick-me-up energy treat, packed full of oaty nutty goodness and sweetened only with maple syrup.
Now you can make and enjoy these in the comfort of your home….preferably with a PSL….
*If you can get your hands on a can of ready made pumpkin purée even better but if not (this is not the US after all) roasting your own with a drizzle of oil is no hard chore….esp as remainders can be used for soups & pastas. I would advise using smaller Sugar and Pie pumpkins for best results – in fact Butternut Squash roasts & purées wonderfully well too.
Pumpkin Maple Oaty Nut Bars
Ingredients
1/2-3/4 cup maple syrup (depending on how sweet you prefer)
1 cup of coarsely chopped nuts (I like 1/2 pecan and half walnut)
1 cup coconut oil
1 cup of pumpkin purée (canned or fresh)
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1 cup plain flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 tsp salt
Method
- Preheat your oven to 175c and grease and line a 9”x 9” baking tray. Dust it very lightly with flour and tap out any excess
- Combine the maple syrup and coarsely chopped nuts together in a bowl and mix lightly to combine well.
- Next add the coconut oil, pumpkin puree and vanilla and stir, then set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, oats and salt. Then add in the pumpkin mixture and stir well with a wooden spoon till combined well. The mixture will be quite thick.
- Spread the dough out into your prepared tin and press it out evenly using your spatula or clean hands.
- Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until top is golden brown and the edges are starting to pull away slightly in the pan.
- Cool in the pan for an hour and then tip out and slice into bars.
- For a more decadent treat, drizzle vegan chocolate on top……
These bars are best cut just before serving and if wrapped and stored in an air tight container, will keep for up to 5/6 days.
A little bit about Sadie’s Kitchen…..
I’ve always loved baking, but being a busy Primary School teacher and then an involved mum of three (young children), I haven’t always had the time. But somehow our kitchen has always been the central hub of activity, with regular baking for friends and family. It helps that my children enjoy baking, as we can spend quality time together doing something we are all passionate about. We have also discovered the joys of hosting sweet treat/baking parties for their little friends. Who doesn’t like a cookie/chocolate/cupcake/pizza party? In fact, my children are regulars in my kitchen & Sadie’s Bake Offs were a weekly highlight in our house during the Covid lockdown, with the kids relishing the challenge!
Now with all 3 children a little older, ‘Sadie’s Kitchen’, specialising in sweet treats has finally become a reality; my little haven, where I can spend my time whipping up tasty sweets treats for all to enjoy.
I’m a passionate, self-taught homebaker who believes that anyone can bake if they have the desire. I’m just here to give a helping hand and treat those who prefer not to or simply don’t have the time to bake. After all, life is busy and hard…everybody needs a little sweetness now & then. Welcome to Sadie’s Kitchen!
Love Sadie xx
Written By: Sadie Yeehan Man | Guest Blogger
Instagram: @sadieskitchensweettreats
Facebook: @Sweettreats628
Website….coming soon…..
