These super moist Flourless Chocolate Gingerbread Bars are a wholesome, vegan + gluten-free treat that'll satisfy your sweet tooth in no time!
Has the gingerbread season come and gone? Like when exactly does the gingerbread season officially end?
I pray it wasn't December 25th. Did I miss the cut-off?!
Worry not. I herby declare 2016 the year of bread. Yeasty bread. Garlic bread. Monkey bread. GINGABREAD.
Let's bring carbs back in style. Remember when they were cool? Remember in 1993 when it was cool to eat bread? When gluten wasn't synonymous with satan? Those were the glory days.
I've been fighting a virus all weekend. Having no appetite is the bain of my existance. I live to eat. Not eating makes me want to die. Now that I'm finally hungry again, I wanted some Paleo Pumpkin Bars like YESTERDAY but my obsession with all things chocolate and ginger lit a lightbulb in this bustling, bamboozling brain of mine.
I saw no reason in the world to not add heaps of cacao and ginger to the mix.
Back to the virus. It's leaving me less than verbose.
So I leave you with this pan of dreams that serves twelve, but realistically more like four. MUHAHA.
Serve these babies with some crusty bread and call it a meal. Insert heart eye emoji here.
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Flourless Chocolate Gingerbread Bars
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
These super moist Flourless Chocolate Gingerbread Bars are a wholesome, vegan + gluten-free treat that'll satisfy your sweet tooth in no time!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup creamy almond butter
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (or 1 overripe medium banana)
- 1 tbsp blackstrap molasses
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp cloves
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray an 8x8in square baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place almond butter, pumpkin, applesauce, molasses, maple syrup, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Stir until well-combined. Add the rest of the ingredients, stirring until smooth.
- Pour into prepared baking dish, smoothing with a spatula. Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Rachel Bessire says
These bars are so delicious! I love the dense texture and the combination of the chocolate and spices are on point.
★★★★★
Alexis says
I’m so glad you liked them, Rachel!
Rachel Bessire says
These bars are so delicious! I love the dense texture and the combination of the chocolate and spices are on point.
★★★★★
Alexis says
I’m so glad you liked them, Rachel!
Kali says
These were outstanding! Ooey, gooey, chocolatey. I used 2 apple/sweet potato baby food pouches, perfect. I will definitely make this again. Thanks so much.
★★★★★
Alexis says
I’m so glad, thank you!
Kali says
These were outstanding! Ooey, gooey, chocolatey. I used 2 apple/sweet potato baby food pouches, perfect. I will definitely make this again. Thanks so much.
★★★★★
Alexis says
I’m so glad, thank you!
Lynda says
I found your website yesterday and tried the Coconut Lime Salmon and the Chocolate Gingerbread Protein Smoothie. Oh, it was yummy and my husband even enjoyed the salmon 😉 I wanted to try the Paleo Chocolate Gingerbread Bars, but I 'm having trouble locating pumpkin puree this time of year. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and my usual grocery store do not have it in stock. Is there a substitute that I can use instead of pumpkin puree??
P.S. I love your website and I'm enjoying all your food blogs especially your trip to Italy.
Alexis says
Awwww such oldies but goodies! I'm so glad you found me. Regarding the pumpkin puree, if you can find butternut squash puree, that should work. Banana or applesauce may work but I've never tried them :/ I'm sorry!
Lynda says
I found your website yesterday and tried the Coconut Lime Salmon and the Chocolate Gingerbread Protein Smoothie. Oh, it was yummy and my husband even enjoyed the salmon 😉 I wanted to try the Paleo Chocolate Gingerbread Bars, but I 'm having trouble locating pumpkin puree this time of year. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and my usual grocery store do not have it in stock. Is there a substitute that I can use instead of pumpkin puree??
P.S. I love your website and I'm enjoying all your food blogs especially your trip to Italy.
Alexis says
Awwww such oldies but goodies! I'm so glad you found me. Regarding the pumpkin puree, if you can find butternut squash puree, that should work. Banana or applesauce may work but I've never tried them :/ I'm sorry!
Cassia Dee says
These are the perfect healthy bars because they satisfy chocolate and pastry cravings, but are also healthy enough that I feel good after I eat them! Not to mention, they're packed with protein, so I feel like I'm doing my body a service eating this instead of feeling like they're a cheat snack 🙂 I love this recipe so much, thank you for creating and sharing it with us!
★★★★★
Cassia Dee says
These are the perfect healthy bars because they satisfy chocolate and pastry cravings, but are also healthy enough that I feel good after I eat them! Not to mention, they're packed with protein, so I feel like I'm doing my body a service eating this instead of feeling like they're a cheat snack 🙂 I love this recipe so much, thank you for creating and sharing it with us!
★★★★★
Hannah says
These were amazing! I haven't had brownies in a long time, and I love gingerbread, so I'm glad I found this recipe tonight! I did make a few substitutions: switched the measurements for the almond butter and applesauce, subbed 1/4 tsp monkfruit extract for the maple syrup, and used chopped unsweetened baking chocolate instead of the choc. chips. I'll definitely be making these again. Thanks!
Alexis says
SO happy you enjoyed them and that the swaps worked perfectly! Happy holidays 🙂
Hannah says
These were amazing! I haven't had brownies in a long time, and I love gingerbread, so I'm glad I found this recipe tonight! I did make a few substitutions: switched the measurements for the almond butter and applesauce, subbed 1/4 tsp monkfruit extract for the maple syrup, and used chopped unsweetened baking chocolate instead of the choc. chips. I'll definitely be making these again. Thanks!
Alexis says
SO happy you enjoyed them and that the swaps worked perfectly! Happy holidays 🙂
Heather says
Delicious. Used only 1 tsp of ginger because I was scared but I think I'd go for it next time. Used sweet potato instead of pumpkin and banana for apple sauce. Will make again.
★★★★★
Alexis says
all of these subs sound so delish! Might try making them with sweet potatoes next time 🙂
Heather says
Delicious. Used only 1 tsp of ginger because I was scared but I think I'd go for it next time. Used sweet potato instead of pumpkin and banana for apple sauce. Will make again.
★★★★★
Alexis says
all of these subs sound so delish! Might try making them with sweet potatoes next time 🙂
Elle says
Looks yummy!!!What can be used in place of flaxseed and molasses?
Elle says
Looks yummy!!!What can be used in place of flaxseed and molasses?
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
There is no such thing as a gingerbread cutoff. I need these in my face yesterday! Holy freakin deliciousness.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
There is no such thing as a gingerbread cutoff. I need these in my face yesterday! Holy freakin deliciousness.
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
NEVER!!! Gingerbread season ends never - I'm officially declaring that the truth. These are amazeballs and I want to shove 34932 in my face now.
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
NEVER!!! Gingerbread season ends never - I'm officially declaring that the truth. These are amazeballs and I want to shove 34932 in my face now.
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Hurrah for a gingerbread-pumpkin recipe - and what a phenomenal one it is! I'm not sure when the cut off ir - but hey - keep 'em coming is what I have to say! Hope you start feeling better soon!!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Hurrah for a gingerbread-pumpkin recipe - and what a phenomenal one it is! I'm not sure when the cut off ir - but hey - keep 'em coming is what I have to say! Hope you start feeling better soon!!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Hurrah for a gingerbread-pumpkin recipe - and what a phenomenal one it is! I'm not sure when the cut off ir - but hey - keep 'em coming is what I have to say! Hope you start feeling better soon!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Hurrah for a gingerbread-pumpkin recipe - and what a phenomenal one it is! I'm not sure when the cut off ir - but hey - keep 'em coming is what I have to say! Hope you start feeling better soon!
Andrea says
These are in the oven as we speak, and oh my, they smell divine. I didn't have pumpkin, so I used sweet potato. We are having a snowstorm, so the wafting smell of gingerbread is just perfect!
★★★★★
Andrea says
These are in the oven as we speak, and oh my, they smell divine. I didn't have pumpkin, so I used sweet potato. We are having a snowstorm, so the wafting smell of gingerbread is just perfect!
★★★★★
Emma says
Gingerbread season, pumpkin season, chocolate peppermint season...they aren't seasons, they are LIFE!
Emma says
Gingerbread season, pumpkin season, chocolate peppermint season...they aren't seasons, they are LIFE!
Kelsey @ Chatterbox Blog says
These look delicious!! Hope you feel better soon 🙂
Kelsey @ Chatterbox Blog says
These look delicious!! Hope you feel better soon 🙂
Kelly @ Eat the Gains says
I hate how certain foods are only supposed to be eaten at certain times!! Pumpkin and gingerbread all year long!
Kelly @ Eat the Gains says
I hate how certain foods are only supposed to be eaten at certain times!! Pumpkin and gingerbread all year long!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It's never a bad time for gingerbread!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It's never a bad time for gingerbread!
CakePants says
Gingerbread season definitely lasts far beyond December in my household, and even if it didn't, seeing these mouth-watering bars would have changed my mind! These look impossibly chewy and oh-so-flavorful!
CakePants says
Gingerbread season definitely lasts far beyond December in my household, and even if it didn't, seeing these mouth-watering bars would have changed my mind! These look impossibly chewy and oh-so-flavorful!
Alysia at Slim Sanity says
I'm not much for regarding food seasons. I'm the person who will eat chili in the middle of a Dallas summer.
Alysia at Slim Sanity says
I'm not much for regarding food seasons. I'm the person who will eat chili in the middle of a Dallas summer.
She Rocks Fitness says
OMG...yes and please!
She Rocks Fitness says
OMG...yes and please!
Dietitian Jess says
I have been saving a can of pumpkin from November to make your Paleo Pumpkin bars, adding these to the list as well! You are probably right in that I will eat approximately 3/4 of the pan within two days.
Dietitian Jess says
I have been saving a can of pumpkin from November to make your Paleo Pumpkin bars, adding these to the list as well! You are probably right in that I will eat approximately 3/4 of the pan within two days.
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
I have no idea when the gingerbread cut off is, but these sound fantastic. Feel better soon--I feel a cold coming on as well thanks to the weather being all over the place!
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
I have no idea when the gingerbread cut off is, but these sound fantastic. Feel better soon--I feel a cold coming on as well thanks to the weather being all over the place!