Delicious healthy pumpkin recipes

Yes it's that time of year; the leaves are turning, the weather is changing and it gets darker a bit earlier than we like which means.....FALL is here & it's pumpkin season!!! If you haven't noticed yet there is pumpkin bread, muffins, cookies, bars, lattes and much more at every store, cafe & restaurant you enter. The only problem is lots of these food choices are not so healthy...wah. We have come up with a few pumpkin recipes that are delicious & healthier than what you may find in your favorite bakery. After trying these recipes you wont feel like you're missing out on the famous pumpkin craze that's taking over cafes. 

Pumpkin Squares

1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg (or a vegan substitute like a flax or chia egg)
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons applesauce
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Combine and mix dry ingredients in a bowl.  Combine and mix wet ingredients in a different bowl, then combine and mix again.  Spread into oiled loaf pan and bake for around 15 minutes. 

Pumpkin Spice Latte.   

1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or a dash of each: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves)

4 TBS pumpkin
1 shot of espresso (or 1/4 cup strong coffee)
1 tsp pure vanilla 

Sweetener to taste

Place ingredients in a blender. Add some nonfat whip cream & enjoy! 

Pumpkin Pancakes with spiced apple

Spiced apple topping:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 apples, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons dried currants or raisins
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 tablespoon Agave nectar

Pancakes:
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup agave nectar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup canned pumpkin purée
3 large eggs
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
2⁄3 cup plain almond milk
Nonstick cooking spray
½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

Directions for spiced apples:

1) Melt butter in skillet on medium-low heat. Add apples and currants (or raisins) and cook until apples are soft, about 15 minutes.

2) Add pumpkin pie spice and agave nectar. Cook for another 5 minutes.

3) Remove from heat and keep warm.

Directions for pancakes:

1) Whisk together flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

2) In a separate bowl, whisk pumpkin purée, eggs, applesauce, agave nectar, and almond milk until well combined. Add pumpkin mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients.

3) Coat a large nonstick griddle with cooking spray and place on medium heat. Pour dollops of batter onto griddle. Cook pancakes on both sides until golden brown.

4) Serve two pancakes per person, topped with spiced apples and a dollop of Greek yogurt.