Healthier Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

One of my favorite things to do lately is to go back through old recipes on my blog and try to "clean" them up a bit.  These healthier pumpkin chocolate chip bars are exactly what I have done here.  And if I do say so myself, I knocked this one out of the park!

I replaced the white sugar with coconut sugar and honey, used white whole wheat flour to replace the all-purpose flour and I seriously cannot tell a difference between these and the old version.  They are just as dense and brownie-like and SO good!   

I just made these two days ago and the entire pan is almost gone.  They are TOO good!  Dangerous to keep around (even if they are healthier!).  I kept mine in the fridge and I swear every time I opened it up, I would sneak a piece off of one of the bars.  It adds up, believe me!  But my kids love them and it feels good to give them a yummy snack that is not full of processed sugar.

Makes 24 bars

Healthier Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

1 cup organic unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup coconut sugar
3/4 cup honey
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 package (12 oz) dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.  In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter, coconut sugar and honey until smooth.  Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined.  Mix in pumpkin puree.

Combine the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.  On low speed, mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.  Fold in chocolate chips.

Spread batter evenly in pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean, about 30-35 minutes.  Cool completely in pan.  Cut into 24 squares.

Easy Fruit and Nut Bars

I recently discovered Lara Bars and I'm almost mad I did because - why are they so expensive?  I usually buy them when they are on sale at Target or my Kroger for a $1 a piece.  Then, I discovered that you can make your own!  And it's TOO easy! 

Three ingredients - almonds, dates (preferably Medjool) and another dried fruit.  I used raisins.  But apricots, cherries, even cranberries would be great and give you all sorts of different flavor options!  The dates I found at Publix, they have these shelves underneath their produce and I just happened to be looking down.  $3.99 for a nice size plastic tub - I was able to make bars 3 different times with that amount and have about 1/2 cup leftover!

 Yields 8 bars

Easy Fruit and Nut Bars

1 cup almonds
1 cup raisins
1 cup pitted, dried dates (Medjool dates)
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (optional)

Combine the almonds, raisins and dates in a food processor.  Pulse a few times to break them up.  Process continually for 30 seconds. Scrape the edge of the bowl.

Process continually for 1-2 minutes until a ball is formed.  If using chocolate chips, add with about 30 seconds left so they don't get completely chopped up.

Dump mixture into an 8 x 8-inch baking pan and press down firmly to form an even layer.  Chill for 1 hour or overnight.  Cut into 8 large bars or 16 squares.  Keep bars in fridge for a few weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

(Source: Adapted from the kitchn)