Grain-Free Pumpkin Pie Bars
Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free
Pumpkin pie was traditionally reserved for fall, but let's be honest: you can enjoy it year round. The taste of a spiced pumpkin-based custard hits a spot that nothing else can, giving you cozy vibes even on dreary days. This recipe for pumpkin pie bars gives you that same distinct pumpkin pie flavor, with a delicious gluten-free, grain-free crust. They can be cut into any size to enjoy whenever you get a craving for that fall flavor. Plus, they are elegant enough to serve at the afternoon tea or evening book club. Pinky's up!
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup Otto’s Naturals – Cassava Flour
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup butter, cold (1 stick) cut into pieces - (You can use vegan butter for dairy-free)
Filling
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups coconut cream*, packed
- 2 Tablespoons Otto’s Naturals – Cassava Flour
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
*Solidified part of chilled can of full fat coconut milk. To ensure there are no chunks of coconut cream in the filling, you can microwave the coconut cream for 10-15 seconds to liquify.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, blend together ingredients for the crust until you reach a sand-like consistency, but the dough holds together when you press between your fingers, about 1 minute.
- Remove dough and press into the 9” x 9” pan in a single even layer.
- Move to the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Turn oven up to 350°F.
- While the crust is cooling, start on your filling. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the pumpkin pie filling until smooth. Once combined, pour over the crust.
- Bake pumpkin pie bars for 40-50 minutes, or until filling is set.
- Cool bars to room temperature, then move to the fridge to chill for a minimum of 3 hours, ideally overnight.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. These pumpkin bars are best served cold.
Can I make my own pumpkin puree?
It is difficult to pass on the ease and consistency of canned pumpkin puree. But if you want to really impress others, you can make your own. To make your own puree you will need to roast a sugar pumpkin, pie pumpkin, or similar. Roast at 400°F for 45 to 60 minutes, dependent upon size. Salt if you wish. After roasting, scoop out the soft flesh. In your food processor – mix until very smooth, usually around 3 to 5 minutes.
What is in pumpkin pie spice?
The spices in a pumpkin pie usually contain cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves and/or allspice. You can purchase it or look for recipes on the internet and mix up your own.
What are the benefits of coconut sugar?
Coconut sugar has become a popular alternative sweetener over the last several years. It comes from the sap of the coconut palm tree. It has a lower glycemic index than sugar. It also contains minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium and potassium, along with some short-chain fatty acids like polyphenols and antioxidants. Coconut sugar also has a fiber called inulin which may slow glucose absorption. The fiber content helps to explain why coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than regular table sugar.
Does coconut sugar contain gluten?
Thankfully, it’s naturally gluten-free!
Is margarine the same as vegan butter?
To avoid dairy, in the case of milk allergies or diet restrictions, we recommend swapping butter for vegan butter. Margarine is not exactly the same, though it can sometimes work. Margarine is made from vegetable oils, water, salt, and emulsifiers. They are mixed together until they reach the consistency of butter. While most margarine does not contain dairy, some do contain dairy or dairy-derived ingredients, so you’ll want to check the label.
Vegan butter is different since you can be sure it is dairy-free. It contains the required fat content for butter with none of the milk. Some brands specify vegan on the package but there are also brands that are dairy-free without explicit labeling. Check the contents or product websites to be sure.
