{Vegan: Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oat Bars}

I teased you a  few weeks ago with the pictures of these pumpkin peanut butter oatmeal bars on the Brunch and Cupcakes Facebook page.  

I know, that wasn't very nice of me, but I was so excited about these bars that I had to share the initial photos with you!  Well, I decided I can no longer keep this recipe from you!  After a few minor tweaks I have landed on a delicious, fluffy and wonderfully textured Peanut Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Bar!  I know I am a few seasons behind on the whole pumpkin flavored baked good thing, but just trust me these bars are delicious and you have to make them today… no, right now! 

Let’s talk a little bit more about these bars, shall we?  These bars are pumpkin-ey but not overly pumpkin-ey with just the right amount of spice and a subtle peanut butter taste!  They are fluffy and moist and perfect when topped with a drizzle of chocolate (melted vegan chocolate chips) or even a vegan cream cheese frosting!  Oh, yea I forgot to mention  these bars are 100% vegan!  I had never dabbled in the world of vegan baking before, but I am thrilled with the end results of these bars!   I used a chia egg as a vegan egg substitute and love the results.  Plus, the chia seeds add a nice nutrition boost, you can’t even taste them!  Read about the benefits of chia seeds, here!   Have I convinced you to make these bars?   Good! Enjoy! 

Vegan: Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oat Bar
Recipe from - Brunch And Cupcakes
Makes 16 Bars

Ingredients: 

1 Cup Canned Pumpkin - Not Pumpkin Pie Filling
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
1 Cup Oats
1/2 Cup Flour
1 1/2 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Chia Egg (1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds, 3 Tablespoons Water) ** See Note Below

Directions:
**Note Prior to starting combine 1 tablespoon chia seeds with 3 tablespoons water.  Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes.  Chia seeds will form an egg like substance.

1- Combine brown sugar and peanut butter in a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth.  Add in the pumpkin and chia egg and beat until well combined.  Sit aside.
2- In a separate bowl combine, flour, oats, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and baking powder.  Stir until well combined.
3- Add your dry ingredients into your wet ingredients and lightly beat until well combined.
4-Pour batter into a greased 8x8 pan, and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until bars are set in the middle.  Let cool in pan before cutting.

Enjoy!