Description
These Paleo Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delicious, healthy treat. Featuring creamy cashew frosting and spiced pumpkin, they’re perfect for dessert lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups raw cashews soaked in warm water for at least 2 hours, drained, rinsed and gently dried
- 1/3 cup chilled coconut cream
- 1/3 cup refined coconut oil melted and slightly cooled
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup raw honey or pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup ghee softened, or softened refined coconut oil for dairy-free
- 3/4 cup pure maple sugar or coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the frosting first. Soak the cashews in warm water for at least two hours, then drain and pat dry.
- Blend the soaked cashews, coconut cream, melted coconut oil, lemon juice, vanilla, honey or maple syrup, and sea salt in a high-speed blender until smooth.
- Transfer the frosting to a container and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper on the bottom and two sides.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and sea salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened ghee and maple sugar using an electric mixer, then whisk in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla until fully combined.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a thick batter forms. Spread it evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for about 20 minutes until the edges set and the center is no longer wet. Cool on a wire rack after baking.
- Once cooled, spread the chilled frosting over the bars, and refrigerate for cleaner slices.
- Cut into 16 bars and serve, storing leftovers in the fridge for up to four days.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, use softened refined coconut oil in the frosting.
Allow the bars to cool completely to avoid crumbling when slicing.
These bars can be stored for up to four days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg