Health Hotline Magazine | November 2020

CRUST 3½ cups Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Almond Flour ½ cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Coconut Sugar ½ teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Salt 1 stick Natural Grocers Brand Organic Plant Based Butter, melted FILLING 1 (5.5-ounce) can Natural Grocers Brand Organic Coconut Cream (chill can in the refrigerator overnight) ¾ cup Natural Grocers Brand Organic Canned Pumpkin ¼ cup Natural Grocers Brand Organic Grade A Dark Maple Syrup 2 teaspoons Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend 2 tablespoons Natural Grocers Bulk Almond Butter ¼ teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Salt 2½ tablespoons tapioca starch TOPPING ½ cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Coconut Flakes ½ cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Pecan Pieces ½ teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Ground Cinnamon INGREDIENTS

Take your pumpkin game to the next level with these decadent layered pumpkin bars. Grain-free, vegan, and refined-sugar free makes them perfect for anyone following a special diet, but even your not-so-health-conscious friends will adore them! GRAIN FREE VEGAN PUMPKIN BARS MAKES: 12 BARS | PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES | BAKE TIME: 55 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES, PLUS COOLING TIME

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Cut a piece of parchment paper about 9-inches wide and press it into a 9 x 9-inch baking dish so the bottom is completely covered and the edges of the parchment overhang two opposite sides of the pan for easy removal. 2. Whisk dry crust ingredients together, breaking up any lumps. Add melted plant-based butter and mix to a consistency of crumbs. Press all but 1 cup of the crust mixture (about 1¼ cups) evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Poke crust all over with a fork. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until just starting to brown. 3. While the crust bakes, scoop the solid coconut cream off the top of the canned coconut cream and add it and all the other filling ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth, stopping to scrape the sides as necessary.

4. Make the topping by mixing the coconut flakes, pecans, and cinnamon into the reserved crust mixture until evenly distributed and in large crumbs. 5. Once the crust has finished baking, increase oven temperature to 350° F. Pour the filling evenly over the crust. Sprinkle about half of the topping mixture evenly over the filling and use your hands to press it lightly into the filling. Sprinkle the rest of the topping over the filling and bake for 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned. 6. Remove from the oven and allow

the bars to cool completely on a cooling rack. For a firmer filling, transfer to the refrigerator once cooled slightly and refrigerate until completely chilled. Cut and serve.

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