It's beginning to look a lot like...

-fall? well not really, but I know it's coming!
The sooner the better. Doesn't mean it's not to early for this. All the time is pumpkin time! mhmm.

So I made pumpkin butter oat bars- and danggggg, their so good. :/ I usually don't like making desserts unless their super healthy. But um, this surpasses the super healthy and just tastes way good. So whatever- plus it's pumpkin. I also did subtract sugar for agave. So it is lower GI than having sugar in there  ;) Otherwise- it's moderately healthy for a dessert. First of all it's pumpkin, very very good for you. Spices- can't go wrong. Caramelized Pecans on top are another story.

Any who - so for the process- I made the pumpkin butter first, since it takes the longest. Easiest to make- but longest to cook- (30 minutes of simmering)

Pumpkin Butter:

- 1 can of pumpkin
- 3/4 cup of apple juice
- 2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice
- 1/3 C of agave
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg

I pretty much get all inspiration from my favorite recipe/food website, Oh She Glows. Such an awesome lady sharing all her recipes with the world. She's awesome. I got the initial recipe from her for this as well. Minor changes- mostly the same.

Oat base- 
- 1.5 cups oats
- 1 cup of whole wheat flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/3 cup agave
- 1 chia egg ( 1tbsp. chia seeds + 4 tbsp warm water- mixed)
- 1/2 C earth balance (melted)
- 1/4 cup sugar free maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp almond milk

[Preheat oven at 275 degrees.
Put the oat base in the oven for 15 minutes- take out...]

Stir oaties with all the dry ingredients!

Still stirring-

Now you have your oat base!

Now for the Pecans-

Toast them for about 8 minutes in the oven- While your doing that - make this first.

- 1/4 C of SF maple syrup

- 1/3 C of sugar (I really used raw sugar this time )

- 1/4 tsp sea salt

- 1/4 tsp cinnamon

and 1 big ole cup of pecans ya'll ;) 

Maple Sugar Mix.... boiling 

Pecans!

Mix them together quick quick!

Try not to eat all of them like this- or you won't have a topping :/

Mix all ingredients in a pot and let it come to a boil while your pecans are a' toasting....

Then put toasted pecans in a bowl- pour right away your hot mix on the pecans, stir. 

Now-

put 1.5 cups of cooled pumpkin butter on top of your oat base that has been pre baked- spread out on top of it, now place pecans on top as well- and bake for another 10 minutes.

Pour pumpkin butter on top of oat base

spread evenly and add pecans

Was a little late to take a picture- had to eat one first :D

Then cool for 20 minutes- also put in freezer for 30 minutes after- then bring em' back out again!

Their so good. MHMMMMMM.

much pumpkin love to all of ya'll!