Pumpkin Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

I feel like all my blog posts of late are all about football food.

I’m sorry.

But not sorry.

Because as much as I don’t understand the game of football, I totally understand football food.

For me, it has to be three things – portable, plentiful, and delicious!

Wings, chili, dips are my savory favorites, while brownies are usually my dessert go-to (these dark chocolate brownies …). But sometimes it’s good to shake things up a bit. For my football party this weekend, I decided to go the bar cookie route… but with a twist.

You all know that I am a sucker for pumpkin and chocolate together, so I decided pumpkin chocolate oatmeal bars would be a fun, portable dessert (no fork needed!) that was delicious and festive.

It starts with a dry ingredient base.

Quick cooking oats (also known as one-minute oats), some all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Mix those thoroughly and set aside.

Now combine the wet ingredients.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and a cup of pureed pumpkin. I know that everyone says that pumpkin is a “fall” ingredient but I think that pumpkin should be eaten all year round! Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A, which is essential for eye and skin health. So basically, pumpkin is awesome and it shouldn’t be restricted to three months of the year.

Beat the oil, sugar, and pumpkin together until combined.

Then add in an egg. And some vanilla. Slowly add in the dry ingredients until the cookie batter just comes together.

Now the last ingredient…

Some mini semi-sweet chocolate chops! They add a nice sweetness to the cookies. Pumpkin + chocolate forever!

This is also a point where you can also add in some chopped nuts, if you desire. I recommend pecans or almonds, but if you aren’t into the whole nut thing, plain bars are delicious too!

Dump the batter into a greased 9″x9″ baking pan.

And using a spatula, evenly spread the batter into the pan.

Sprinkle with some extra chocolate chips if you want to. And let’s be honest, you want to.

Pop the pan into a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until the bars are completely set in the middle.

Then cut them up and dig in!

Perfect for your Superbowl party this weekend (or just for yourself… I won’t tell!).

Your football food makin’ friend,

C

Pumpkin Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

 

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Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

45 mins

 

Simply A (RD) Fact: Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A (essential for eye and skin health!).

Serves: 16 bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups quick cooking oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• 1 cup pumpkin puree - NOTE: not pumpkin pie filling
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips plus more for sprinkling (up to ¼ cup)
• ½ cup chopped pecans or almonds, optional
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9"x9" baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Stir to combine and set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, and oil. Beat to combine. Add in the egg and the vanilla extract and beat for 30 seconds to thoroughly combine. Turn the speed to low and add in the dry ingredient - mixed until just combined.
4. Add in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Stir to combine. Pour the batter into prepared pan and evenly spread the batter with a spatula. Sprinkle over extra chocolate chips as desired.
5. Bake the bars for about 25 minutes or until the bars are set. Cut into squares and serve to hungry family and friends.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 bar Calories: 188 calories Fat: 10gm Saturated fat: 2gm Carbohydrates: 24gm Sodium: 141mg Fiber: 2gm Protein: 3gm Cholesterol: 12mg

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