Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2–4 tablespoons plant milk
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins, or dried cranberries (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and gently fold with a spatula until just combined.
- If the batter is too thick, add plant milk one tablespoon at a time until it becomes thick but spreadable.
- Fold in optional mix-ins such as chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 22–28 minutes until the top springs back lightly and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs.
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
- Lift the bars out using the parchment paper and transfer to a rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bars soft and tender.
- Whole wheat pastry flour can replace all-purpose flour for a nuttier flavor.
- Chocolate chips or chopped nuts add extra texture and richness.
- If the batter becomes too thick, add plant milk gradually.
- Allow the bars to cool fully before slicing for clean cuts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
