After the great cabinet and refrigerator clean out a few weeks back, I realized that there were quite a few forgotten ingredients resting in my cupboard. These were ingredients that I had (very well intentioned) purchased a while back with plans to prepare a few delicious baked goods, but between the San Diego heat wave, (yes, I said that…the San Diego Heat Wave) when the thought of turning on the oven made me sweat + cans getting pushed to the black hole in the back of my cupboard, The Pumpkin Walnut Protein Bars were never prepared.
Luckily, I found the canned pumpkin well before the expiration date and got down to work putting pumpkin where it belongs. (Its TRUE, there actually IS pumpkin in this week’s “Pumpkin Walnut Protein Bars” – thanks Vani Hari “The Food Babe” for the truth about the Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spiced Latte.)
These bars make great breakfast on the run (Check out our Sugars Shakes Blog for more info on getting protein) or a delicious filling snack. They’re an enjoyable treat and the protein powder make makes them very dense so 1 -2 bars is easily filling. My hubby and I love them, but I must admit that one friend wanted them for dessert and then described them as “really good, BUT you can tell they’re ‘healthy’.” I think he was expecting more of a “Pumpkin Cake.”
The bars take about 15 minutes to prepare before they go into the oven and the clean-up is a snap. I used a food processor to make the Oatmeal Flour and my trusty Hamilton Beach hand mixer to beat. Although I would love one of those Kitchenaid Stand Mixer my counter space/storage space just won’t allow for it at the moment.
The bars last about 1 week when refrigerated. Let us know what you think and if these Pumpkin Bars satisfy your Fall Holiday appetite.
The Pumpkin Protein bars are an approved for Beautiful University, our 8 Week guided prep program that introduces you to the WHOLE FOOD Lifestyle. Class starts October 13th so be sure to sign up now for Early Bird pricing, which ends October 9th. Click here for all the details.
We look forward to seeing you in the program or on the blog. Until next time,
Live your WHOLE life,
Meg + Shannon
Pumpkin Walnut Protein Bars
Adapted from Bodybuilding.com
Ingredients:
½ C Brown Sugar
4 oz. Apple Sauce or Jar of Baby Food Applesauce
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 ½ tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground clove
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
4 Large Egg Whites
1 – 15 oz. can of raw pumpkin
2 C Oatmeal Flour – See Infographic Above
2 Scoops Vanilla Whey Protein
½ C unsweetened Almond Milk
½ C chopped Walnuts
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray 9 X 13 pan with non-stick spray
Combine first 11 ingredients and mix well
Add final 4 ingredients and mix until well incorporated.
Pour batter into pan and bake for 30 mins.
Makes 24 Pumpkin Walnut Protein Bars
1 Square = 63 calories, 2.3 g fat, 8 g carbs, 4 g protein
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