Celebrate Autumn with Vegan Pumpkin Bars

Ingredients:

For the Pumpkin Bars:

• 1/4 cup (60 mL) vegan buttermilk (prepare by mixing dairy-free milk with apple cider vinegar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to curdle)
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose or gluten-free 1:1 baking flour
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 can (425 g) pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (110 g) light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (57 g) melted vegan butter or coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 batch of vegan cream cheese frosting

For the Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Vegan cream cheese (amount as per half the usual recipe)
• Vegan butter (amount as per half the usual recipe)
• Powdered sugar (as needed, usually added 1 cup at a time)
• Dairy-free milk (optional, as needed to achieve desired consistency)

Instructions:

1. Preparation:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease the unlined edges.
   • Prepare vegan buttermilk and set aside for it to curdle.
2. Batter Creation:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, both sugars, melted vegan butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
   • Add pumpkin spice, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt, mixing until evenly incorporated.
   • Finally, gently fold in the flour and vegan buttermilk, stirring until just combined and no dry patches remain.
3. Baking the Bars:
   • Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, smoothing it out evenly.
   • Bake in the oven for 27-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
   • Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Cream Cheese Frosting:
   • Once bars are cooled, whip up the vegan cream cheese frosting by beating vegan cream cheese and butter until creamy.
   • Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well until the frosting is light and fluffy. Use dairy-free milk to adjust consistency if necessary.
5. Decorating the Bars:
   • Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, covering them uniformly.
   • If you desire a firmer frosting, chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before slicing.
6. Serving and Storage:
   • Cut into squares and serve. Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Indulge in these irresistibly fluffy and moist vegan pumpkin bars that bring the essence of autumn to your table!