Pumpkin Granola Bar

My family loves granola and our my favourite granola supply come from "maameemoomoo" who always surprise us with her innovative flavoured granola like honey, pumpkin and chocolate. And since we have missed out Sherie's pumpkin granola during Halloween orders, I decided to try making something similar to satisfy our craving. So with a twist and some research which I Google, I manage to bake some decent Pumpkin Granola Bar instead.

Although my granola bar might not taste as good as Sheri's but at least I happy with the end result and also it's a challenge for me to bake something with such a long ingredients list too.

PUMPKIN GRANOLA BAR

These golden granola bars are made with pumpkin puree, applesauce and honey which are so flavorful when mixed with the chewy rolled oats, cranberries, chocolate chips, spices and etc. Each bite is full of delicious autumn flavour which makes the whole process of time and effort worth. 

(Make: 16 x 26cm (base measurement) | Preparation: 30 minutes | Baking: 45 minutes)

Ingredients:
3 Cups (260g) Rolled Oats
1 Teaspoon Mixed Spices
1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree
1/4 Cup Apple Sauce
1/4 Cup Honey
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 Cup (60g) Dried Cranberries
1/4 Cup (40g) Pumpkin Seeds
1/4 Cup Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Roasted Almond
1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds

Method:-
1. Preheat the oven to 180° degree Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) and crease a 3cm deep, 16cm x 26cm brownie pan and line it with baking paper, allowing 2cm overhang on all sides.

2. In a large bowl, whisk rolled oats, mixed spices and salt together.

3. In another bowl, whisk brown sugar, pumpkin puree, apple sauce, honey and vanilla extract until smooth.

4. Pour pumpkin mixture over rolled oats and stir well till oats are moist.

5. Stir in dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, chocolate chips, roasted almond and chia seeds till combined.

6. Evenly press oat mixture into prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown as pumpkin puree adds moisture to the oats mixture and you don't want them to be under bake. 

7. Remove, cool completely and using a sharp knife and cut it into 12 - 14 bars.

Ingredients For Pumpkin Puree:
400g Pumpkin, cut into 1" Cubes
1 Tablespoon Water

Method:-
1. Place pumpkin cubes and 1 tablespoon of water in a microwave safe bowl.

2. Cook over high heat for about 15 minutes or until pumpkin is soften when mashed with a fork.

3. To get a nice and smooth consistency you can either mash or blend the cooked pumpkin with a fork or hand blender.

Ingredients For Apple Sauce
~ 2 Granny Smith Apples, cored and chopped
~ 1 Tablespoon Sugar ~ 1/4 Teaspoon Mixed Spice
~ 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
~ 1/4 Cup Water

Method:-
1. Combine all ingredients and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes or until apple soften and melt.

Although these granola bar might look crispy due to it's colour but for your information they are actually more of the chewy type instead. But with the crunchy almond and nutty flavour from the chia seeds as well as chocolate chips and cranberries this pumpkin bar definitely taste awesome with all it's goodness.