Quinoa Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Squares

Packed with protein, fiber and all of your favorite fall spices, these Quinoa Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Squares will be your go-to pumpkin treat!

I am SO excited for the Fall!! I love pumpkin so much that I try to make as many fun things as I can with it.

This time of year I become even more obsessed with pumpkin recipes.  I came across this delicious Martha Stewart recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bars and decided to change it up a bit.  I think most of you know how much I LOVE quinoa.  Love it.  Really love it.  I love that it is a complete protein and has such a wonderful, nutty texture.  Soooo…. (you know where I am going with this, don’t you?) why not add it to these cookie Bars? Fantastic.  A little flax seed never hurt anyone, right?  (Actually it’s PACKED with omega-3-fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants)  Finally, pumpkin is a powerhouse of nutrition.  It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.  Sooooo….these squares are a heathier option that your ordinary butter laden chocolate chip cookie 🙂

*One note, I used 2 cups of flour and the squares come out more cake-like.  If you would like a chewier square, reduce the amount of flour.

Ingredients

 

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (I bet you can substitute all purpose gluten free flour)

1/2 cup flax seed meal (ground flax)

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, room temeperature

2 tablespoons turbinado sugar

3 tablespoons 100% maple syrup

1 egg

1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled

1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups 100% pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9 x 9 or 9 x 13 casserole dish with nonstick baking spray.
2. Mix the flour, flax seed, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.  Set the bowl aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix the sugar, maple syrup and butter until thoroughly combined and butter is completely mixed in.  Add egg, quinoa and vanilla and mix again.  Slowly add pumpkin and continue to mix well.  Once completely mixed, slowly add the flour mixture.  Feel free to add small amounts of water if the batter seems to thick.
4. Once the flour mixture is completely combined, add chocolate chips and stir well.  Place in preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until you place a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean.  ENJOY!!

Happy Fall! Thanks for stopping by!

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