Pumpkin Pie Squares

 I love pumpkin, and have created many Paleo pumpkin-related recipes (including pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie coffee cake, and pumpkin plantain spice cookies). These Pumpkin Pie bars were originally inspired by Elena Amsterdam’s Pumpkin Bars, which are delightful but quite different from what I have created.  I wanted to create a square that captures the flavor of my (pre-Paleo) pumpkin pie recipe, a family secret that is such a unique and wonderful flavor that it has converted non-pumpkin pie lovers.  This is the result of quite a few iterations: a moist, delicious square that is every bit as satisfying as a piece of my original pumpkin pie but avoids dairy, grains and legumes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 8-12 squares

 Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup  brown sugar/sucanat
• 1 cup blanched almond flour
• 2 tsp coconut flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp allspice
• ½ tsp cardamom
• ¼ cup walnuts

1.    Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease a 9”x9” pan.
2.    Place walnuts in food processor or blender and pulse until well ground and starting to form a paste.
3.    Add remaining ingredients and pulse to form a thick batter (or mix by hand).
4.    Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes until set.
5.    Cool completely in pan.  Cut into squares.