You know how I love pumpkin, right? And I have a ton in my garden, and of course still have a can or two of my hoarded stash from the Fall. AND so so many pumpkin puree pucks hidden away in my freezer. 🙂 I also had a stash of organic cranberry sauce that I got off the clearance shelf sitting in my pantry. I would’ve normally used applesauce in this recipe for the liquid, but with that cranberry mocking me from the shelf, I had to choose the pumpkin-cran combo for these granola bars. You can really use any fruit puree you like!
So these Chewy Pumpkin Cranberry Granola Bars. Yum. So amazing, and your kids will LOVE them! They’re vegan, too!
Chewy Pumpkin Cranberry Granola Bars
Ingredients
3 cups oats
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup cranberry sauce, applesauce or other fruit puree
2 tablespoons sucanat or other natural sweetener
1/2 cup chocolate chips or dried fruit
Method
Mix all ingredients and let the oats soak in the liquids.
Spread oat mix in a layer on a 13 x 9 baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes until set.
The Results
Mmm! Delicious. I think these aren’t QUITE perfected yet. But for literally just throwing a bunch of stuff in a bowl and seeing how it works out, I’m pleased. I think raisins would’ve been the better choice for us. The chocolate was good, but doesn’t pack the same sweet little punch that dried fruits do. Yummy and so much better for us than store-bought! I think I may add some pumpkin spice mix next time, too! These will also freeze great and you can just pop them out of the freezer to thaw and serve!
And, I’m so excited to pack them in Bug’s little lunches. And to be able to cut them with my beautiful new Cutco knife and spread peanut butter on with that delicious spreader. Want your own set? Enter to win over at my Back to School Giveaway!
The Cutco Santoku Knife is amazing! So sharp and easy to use. And the spatula spreader….I had no clue that I needed one of these until I got one! It. Is. Amazing. I can cut sandwiches, superman style of course, and spread on the peanut butter all with the same tool! How cool is that?! I am absolutely in love with it. I hope you win! But if you don’t, definitely go check out Cutco’s site and get one of these bad boys. Fabulous!
Note: While Cutco, Cuisinart, Rubbermaid and Bob’s Red Mill provided me with products for the giveaway, my opinions are 100% my own. See my full disclosure policy here. This promotion, open to U.S. residents only, is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. I hereby release Facebook of any liability. Winner(s) will be contacted by email 48 hours after the giveaway ends. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to [email protected].
This post is shared with Real Food Wednesday, Whole Food Wednesdays, What’s Cooking Wednesday, Works for me Wednesday, These Chicks Cooked, Bake with Bizzy, Hearth and Soul Hop, Simple Lives Thursday, Frugal Food Thursday, It’s a Keeper, Full Plate Thursday, Tastetastic Thursday and Ultimate Recipe Swap.
