10.15.10 Pumpkin & White Chocolate Bars
Last year Tommy and I went on the most wonderful day trip right in the heart of fall. I had planned a day so we could explore New England in all its fall glory—pumpkin pancakes at a well-loved country diner, leaf peeping on the back roads weaving from Mass to NH, apple picking, and the crown-jewel, the Keene Pumpkin Fest. As the morning began, I found myself in the gift shop attached to the diner, while we waited for a seat. I spotted a cookbook all about pumpkins, and on a day that was nothing less than an ode to pumpkin, there was no way I could pass it up. I mentally cataloged all the must-try recipes, and tucked my purchase into my bag.
But soon, weeks had passed. The trick-or-treaters came and went, the brilliant colored leaves had fallen and I had my sights set on stuffing, holiday shopping and pine scented candles. Pumpkins and fall were suddenly a thing of the past. But the wonderful thing about New England is that fall returns each year! Often it sneaks up on me—one day I find myself fumbling for the heat in the morning and suddenly glance up and am faced with the most magnificent sight of the changing leaves. This happened a few weeks back, and as I smiled just as brilliantly right back at them, I made a mental note to celebrate fall. So while I am gently mourning tomatoes and corn, I will welcome apples, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and squash. At least for another 30 days, until I am on to fresh cranberries and warm gingerbread. Because, like the New England weather, I am fickle.
Pumpkin & White Chocolate Bars
makes 18 bars . adapted from Pumpkin
crust
1 1/2 c oats
1 c all-purpose (or whole-wheat pastry flour)
1 c brown sugar
1/2 t salt
1 stick (1/2 c) melted butter
filling
1 c pumpkin puree (I made my own, but canned works)
1 1/2 c white chocolate chips
1/2 c walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 c dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, mix together oats, flour, brown sugar and salt. Add butter, and stir well. Transfer 1/2 the crust mixture to a non-stick (or greased) 9”x13” pan. Spread into a thin layer, covering bottom, and press well with your fingers, into the bottom and edges of the pan. Transfer to oven and bake for 15 minutes, until crust turns a golden brown.
Remove from oven and spread pumpkin puree in a thin layer on top. Sprinkle evenly with white chocolate chips, walnuts and cranberries. Spoon the rest of the crust mixture on top, and press well with your fingers. Some of the filling layer will peak through, which is fine as long as it is all well-pressed.
Bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Immediately cut into square, but allow to fully cool before removing from pan, to prevent crumbling.
Reader Comments (13)
I love this idea. Pumpkin and white chocolate sounds fantastic!
Beautiful flavours!!! What a gorgeous fall treat!!
This sounds great! Why I never thought of using pumpkin puree to make bars, I have no idea, but I can see it definitely works!
This is so bright with fall flavors...*swoon*... I love this super-health take on bars...mmm... And a little decadence with the chocolate. ;o) Thank you, Erin! ((HUGS))
Oh my sweet Erin, this looks soo yummieee and such a wonderful idea!! Pumpkin and white chocolate sounds so delicious together. Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!
This is so unique... and looks so delicious too!
Now this makes sense to me. I keep seeing chocolate and pumpkin mixed together and I just can't put the two flavors together in my head. The white chocolate sounds just right though and I love the look of those bars! I hope you guys have a wonderful and colorful fall!
What a perfect Autumn treat. I love its simplicity and quick prep too. I can't wait to give this try!
I love pumpkin! I look forward to it every year. These bars sound like the perfect addition to my large collection of pumpkin recipes too!
Oh my, these look like my kind of thing. Pumpkin and white chocolate, I'm ready to make these now! Hope you've had a wonderful weekend, Erin! x
I'm a huge pumpkin fan and this looks amazing...perfect for a mid-morning snack with a cup of hot tea.
I don't know how I missed this! Yum!
I love that you adapted it from a book called Pumpkin. That is so perfectly simple! :)
These bars sound perfect and comforting. Full of so many good things!