Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to make lifting the bars out easier later. This simple step prevents sticking and ensures a clean release.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves (if using), baking soda, and salt. Ensure all the spices are evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients to impart consistent flavor in every bite.1 ½ cups rolled oats, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, pure maple syrup, unsweetened applesauce, melted coconut oil, and pure vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. This mixture will form the moist and flavorful base of your oatmeal bars.1 ½ cups pumpkin puree, ⅓ cup pure maple syrup, ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce, ¼ cup melted coconut oil, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir everything together with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.
- If you’re using chopped nuts or dried fruit, gently fold them into the batter now. These additions will provide delightful pops of texture and sweetness to your Daniel Fast Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars.½ cup chopped pecans, ½ cup raisins
- Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Use your spatula or the back of a spoon to press the mixture down firmly and evenly into the pan, creating a compact base for your bars. This ensures they hold together well once baked.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center appears mostly set. You can test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter.
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the Daniel Fast Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling period is crucial for them to set properly and become firm enough to cut into bars. Rushing this step can result in crumbly bars.
- Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire baked block out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and cut it into your desired bar shapes – squares or rectangles work best. Enjoy your delicious and healthy homemade bars!
Notes
Proper storage is key to keeping your Daniel Fast Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars fresh and delicious. Refrigeration: Once completely cooled, store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 5-7 days. Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the bars. Cut them into individual portions after they have cooled and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, ensuring they are well-sealed to prevent freezer burn. Reheating: If you prefer them warm, you can gently reheat individual bars in a toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds.
