Flourless Pumpkin Gingerbread Blondies

It's pumpkin time and our foodie hearts are happy! Pumpkin is a unique vegetable that many families enjoy, especially during the fall. Although it’s considered to be a starchy vegetable, the bright orange color of pumpkin is a giveaway that it’s loaded with an important antioxidant, beta-carotene.

Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body, which allows many important functions to be performed that benefit overall health. A diet rich in foods containing this antioxidant may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers, and can protect against some diseases, including heart disease. Beta-carotene has even been shown to protect us from degenerative aspects of aging.  

Pumpkins are also fat, cholesterol and sodium free, and provide vitamin C which helps boost our immune systems to help prevent us from getting sick. Including pumpkin into meals, snacks and desserts will give some added nutrients with every bite!

A typical blondie is a rich, sweet dessert usually in the form of a bar and is sometimes referred to as a white or vanilla brownie.  Like many desserts, blondies are made from flour, sugar, butter and eggs, give or take a few ingredients. However, these Flourless Pumpkin Gingerbread Blondies are a fun twist on the typical treat and contain just four, healthy ingredients. These blondies also help us get some fruits and vegetables in and are a great option for anyone who is gluten-free, vegan or paleo. Give these bars a try this pumpkin season!

Flourless Pumpkin Gingerbread Blondies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup mashed banana (approximately 1 large)

1/4 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup smooth almond or cashew butter

1 T gingerbread spice (a mixture of nutmeg, allspice, cloves, cinnamon and ginger)

1 T + granulated sweetener of choice (optional)*

Directions 

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, grease a small cake pan or loaf pan and set aside.

2) In a small microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, melt your nut butter. In a large mixing bowl, add the banana, pumpkin, nut butter, spices and optional sweetener and mix very well.

3) Pour the mixture into the greased pan and bake for around 20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before slicing into pieces.