Hello everyone! How was your weekend? I've got a very early shoot this morning, so I have to admit....I baked on Sunday.
Today's recipe comes from a fantastic new cook book called "The Divvies Bakery Cookbook", by Lori Sandler, published by St. Martin's Press. I actually won this through a give away at The Zhush, a beautiful blog I love to read. The Divvies Bakery is a nut, eggs, and dairy free bakery located in South Salem, New York. Lori's son Benjamin has many food allergies, so The Divvies Bakery was born out of a labour of love. Read more here.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Squares - makes one 9"x9" or 13"x9" pan of outrageous deliciousness
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon ground pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dairy free margarine
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350f. Prepare a 9"x9" or 13"x9" pan by lining it with long pieces of aluminum foil. Extra foil should hang over the sides for easy lifting after baking.
Whisk the flour, pumpkin or apple pie spice, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Cream the margarine and sugar together in a medium bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, until smooth.
Add the applesauce, vanilla, and pumpkin puree and continue mixing on medium speed. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the ingredients, and continue mixing.
Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and mix on medium speed until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue mixing.
Add the chocolate chips and mix on low speed to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 50 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the middle, and if it comes out clean, the squares are done.
Cool the squares completely in the pan for at least one hour. Lift the the aluminum foil out of the pan and cut into squares. Enjoy! and you will.
I've packaged some up to take on my shoot today. Must share, or I'll eat them all.
Have a great day! Back on Wednesday with a give away.
