To Die For Year-Round Pumpkin Recipes!

Pumpkin recipes are NOT just for Autumn time.
I make them all year round.
Why??!
Well, pumpkin is just that good!

Pumpkin cookies are my absolute FAV- with or without choco chips.
And last week,
I tried whipping up my own pumpkin pancake recipe.
They were sugar-and dairy-free!!!
And guess what?!
It was pretty darn good!

Sooooooo...
Purpose of this post: make you fall in love with pumpkin.
Pumpkin is loaded with vitamin A and antioxidant carotenoids-
Beta-carotene in particular is great because your body will synthesize if your vitamin A intake is low.
Wicked, right?!
Pumpkin also has vitamins C, K, and E-
Not to mention minerals magnesium, potassium, iron, and more.

So whip up these recipes and tell me what you think!

Gluten/Dairy/Sugar-free Pumpkin Cookies
(Great with or without chocolate chips! Makes about 50-60 cookies!)

1 large can pumpkin (28 oz.)
1 c. oil
3 c. sugar substitute
2 eggs
2 t. vanilla
5 c. gluten-free all-purpose baking mix (or flour, if you're not allergic, of course!)
1 t. sea salt
2 t. baking soda
2 t. baking powder
3 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 bag chocolate chips, optional

Combine eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla. Add pumpkin. Mix all dry ingredients together separately. Add to pumpkin mixture. Spoon onto an UNGREASED baking sheet and bake at 375 for approximately 8-10 minutes-or until toothpick comes out clean. {Chef's note: these are by far the BEST pumpkin cookies I have ever tried. I got the recipe from a friend in Boulder, CO and won't try any others. If you have Celiacs, or are cutting down on flour, try these! Like with any other recipe made with gluten-free baking mix, you won't be tempted to try the batter...But once cooked, you will never suspect flour-free. As for the chocolate chips, it's not too hard to find dairy-free chocolate chips. Just check your local natural foods store if you are serious allergic or gung-ho about dairy-free eats. I will warn you that it's near impossible finding dairy-and-sugar-free chips. They are also INCREDIBLE without chocolate chips. They are light and addicting...and ohhhhh so good!}

Sugar-and-Dairy-free Pumpkin Pancakes
(Serves 2-3 people graciously)

Ingredients:
1.5 c. whole wheat flour
2-3 T. sugar substitute (stevia works great!)
3 t. baking powder
1/2 t. sea salt
1 t. cinnamon
1.5 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 pinch nutmeg
1 c. unsweetened almond milk
1 c. pumpkin puree
1 (large) egg
2 T. coconut butter, smart balance, or another butter alternative

In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients (flour, sugar sub., powder, salt and other spices). In another bowl, whip together the almond milk, pumpkin, egg, and butter sub. Add to flour mixture. Next, preheat a large (greased) skillet. Pour desired batter onto skillet, and flip once those "pancake bubbles" begin to form. Flip only once. Top with coconut butter, honey, and additional cinnamon/pumpkin pie spice. Or bananas! Or whatever you wanna try. It's your kitchen after all ;)


Let me know what you think!
Xoxo,
Bethany