Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Bars




With Fall just around the corner, I have been enjoying the cooler air and it is has inspired me to start baking some of my favorite Fall treats! I love all things pumpkin, so on Sunday I decided to try this healthified take on a Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Dessert bar. This recipe might be my new favorite Fall treat! Remember they are still a dessert, so be careful not to overindulge and share these with a neighbor or co-worker. Enjoy!



Apple Cinnamon-Pumpkin Bars Recipe
 Bars:

1 box (15.3 oz) Fiber One™ apple cinnamon muffin mix
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 cup fat-free egg product or 2 eggs
*1/4 cup natural apple sauce (No sugar added)
(Optional) 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice


Optional Icing Topping:
3 oz 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray bottom only of 9-inch square pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, stir muffin mix, pumpkin, water, oil and egg product just until blended (batter may be lumpy). Spread in pan.
2. Bake 17 to 21 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
3. In small bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth; drizzle over bars. Sprinkle with walnuts. For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.
Nutritional Information per serving: Makes 32 servings1 Bar: Calories 80 (Calories from Fat 22); Total Fat 2.5g (Saturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 95mg; Total Carbohydrate 13g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 7g); Protein 1.5g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 15%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 0%; Iron 4%