Chewy Pumpkin Oat Squares

Chewy Pumpkin Oat Squares - yummy, nutritious, vegan, gluten-free :)

These delicious, chewy oat squares—loaded with fruits, nuts and gluten-free whole grains—do equal service as a hearty breakfast (think muffin minus the cup) or a wholesome dessert cake. Pumpkin puree plus freshly grated honeycrisp apple makes the squares moist; currants and walnuts add a bright burst of flavor to every bite.

Chewy Pumpkin Oat Squares

Dry Ingredients
2 cups whole oats (not instant)
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1.5 teaspoons baking soda
1 Tbs ground flaxseed or chia seed
pinch of salt (optional)

Wet Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
1/2 cup almond butter
1/2 cup liquid natural sweetener (honey, maple syrup or agave)
1/2 cup grated apple (packed)
1 Tbs melted coconut oil (optional)

Fold-Ins
1/2 cup currants (or raisins)
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8X8 Pyrex baking dish with coconut oil or line it with two sheets of parchment paper. In separate mixing bowls, mix wet ingredients and dry ingredients separately. Add wet to dry, combine well and fold in currants and walnuts. Pour batter into pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until top begins to brown and cracks have formed over the surface. Allow cake to cool before slicing into squares. Depending on how you cut it, each pan makes 9, 12 or 16 healthy servings.