baked pumpkin cranberry oatmeal
If you like oatmeal and you like pumpkin, look no further for your new favorite healthy & delicious breakfast and/or snack! Major food blogger Kath at KathEats.com created this recipe (baked pumpkin oatmeal), which I just modified to be both vegan and gluten-free.After a great tip from a friend a couple weeks back, we stocked up on canned pumpkin from Trader Joe's - it's seasonal, organic, in a BPA-free can, VERY tasty and being that it's from TJ's, comparatively very cheap. So this recipe was a great reason to dip into the many cans in our pantry!You can eat these bars as is in hand, in a bowl with your (non-dairy!) milk of choice, on a plate with some stewed or fresh chopped fruit, or a drizzle of your favorite nut/seed butter, some grated coconut... many possibilities!They are very healthy and satisfying, and would be a beloved staple in many kitchens. I'd think these might also be a particularly great thing to make if you have kiddos, either for breakfast - especially if breakfast is needed on-the-go - or a good snack.Keep on reading for the recipe!Recipe: Baked Pumpkin-Cranberry Oatmeal Bars (Vegan & Gluten-Free!)Modified from original recipe by KathEats.comWhat You Need:
2 cups gluten-free oats (such as Bob's Red Mill)
1 tsp baking powder (use 3/4 tsp if you live at a high altitude)
pinch of salt
1/4 unsweetened applesauce
1 generous cup of pumpkin puree
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or add more cinnamon, or nutmeg, ginger, etc.)
1.5 c unsweetened coconut milk (such as SoDelicious)
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 c unsweetened dried cranberries (or your dried fruit of choice... or dark chocolate if you want to get a little crazy...)
1-4 tbsp brown sugar, divided (optional)
What You Do:
Preheat your oven to 375 (go up to 385 if you live at a high altitude)
Whisk all dry ingredients (minus brown sugar) in a medium mixing bowl
In a separate bowl, whisk all wet ingredients and 1-3 tbsp brown sugar if using, and then stir in dried cranberries
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until completely combined
Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper and/or grease with Earth Balance
Bake on the middle rack for 30-35 minutes
Allow to cool completely in the pan, and then cut into squares - store them in individual plastic baggies or an air-tight container on the counter or in the fridge - I think they taste great at room temp, chilled, or re-heated in the oven!