Go Back
Print

The Best Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars

Healthy, gluten-free pumpkin bars with non-dairy frosting

Course Dessert
Keyword Anti-inflammatory, Gluten-Free, Healthy, Pumpkin
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Author Kris Kelbrants

Ingredients

  • 2 cups gluten-free flour (with xanthan gum)
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum (eliminate if flour contains)
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon (prefer Penzey's)
  • 1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (prefer Trader Joe's)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 4 eggs (prefer free range/organic)
  • 1 ⅔ cup organic cane sugar
  • 1 can pumpking (15 oz)
  • ½ cup melted grass-fed butter or melted coconut oil (oil for dairy free version)
  • ½ cup applesauce (unsweetened)
  • ½ tsp pure vanilla extract (to go the extra mile, use 1 vanilla bean pod)

FROSTING

  • 1 container Tofutti (or other dairy free cream cheese)
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 T almond milk (add last, if needed for to desired creaminess)

Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease jelly roll pan (I prefer organic coconut spray).

  2. 2. Whisk together all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl (GF flour, soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, xanthan gum (if flour did not contain).

  3. 3. With a hand mixer, in a separate bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, melted butter or oil, applesauce and vanilla extract.

  4. 4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined.

  5. 5. Spread batter in greased rimmed jelly roll pan. I will provide an option and link below. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted center comes out with crumbs or almost clean. Place pan on a wire rack to cool (so baking stops).

FROSTING

  1. Soften "Tofutti" cream-cheese substitute. With a hand or stand mixer, beat all ingredients until creamy, adding the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time.

  2. Frost the bars after they have cooled completely and refrigerate until ready to serve or to store. Keep covered in the fridge to keep them moist.