Pumpkin Granola Bars

Ingredients:

3/4 c. pumpkin puree

1 egg

1/4 c. butter(at room temp.)

1/4 c. honey

2 T molasses

2 c. rolled oats

1/2 c. chopped walnuts (or whatever nut you have on hand)

2 T. shredded,unsweetened coconut

1/4 c. ground flax seed

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1 T. grated orange rind

Blend the pumpkin, egg, butter, honey, and molasses in a mixing bowl or food processor. Add the oats, nuts, coconut, flax meal, cinnamon, and orange rind, and mix well. Spread this mixture into a lightly greased 15 1/2-by-10 1/2-inch jelly-roll pan. Bake in a 350 oven for 40 minutes or until golden brown. While still warm, cut into 3-by-1 1/2-inch bars. For very crisp bars, remove from pan to wire rack and cool completely.

In an attempt to have a little baking therapy tonight and bake something a little healthy at the same time, I came across this recipe for pumpkin granola bars. I have to say I was really happy with the results, and they are already half gone. I don't have a jelly-roll pan so I used a casserole dish, which I think accounted for them not turning out as crunchy as I thought they would. Very good flavor. I would make these again...and as Jocelyn suggested I think I'll add mini-chocolate chips next time!

Happy healthy baking love, Amy

(from All Homemade Cookies )