A Very Vitamix Halloween

Mix it up this Halloween, with these three healthy recipe from Vitamix (they’ll help balance out all those treats)! —Vita Daily

Gooey Granola Bars

⅔ cup (190 g) room temperature butter
⅓ cup (75 ml) coconut oil
½ cup (120 ml) honey
⅓ cup (70 g) brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4½ cup (480 g) rolled oats
1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (110 g) dried cranberries
1 cup (175 g) mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with paper and set aside. Add butter, coconut oil, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla to the Vitamix 64-ounce container in the order listed and secure the lid. Select Variable 1, or the Puree (Dips + Spreads) program. Start the machine, slowly increase to its highest speed, and blend for 55 seconds; or start the machine and allow the Puree (Dips + Spreads) program to complete. Remove the lid and add flour, baking soda, and ½ cup (50 g) rolled oats. Select Variable 6 and Pulse 8 to 10 times, or until ingredients are combined. Add remaining oats, cranberries, and chocolate chips to a large mixing bowl. Using a spatula, transfer the blended mixture to the bowl, and stir to combine. Pat mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet, making sure to press the ingredients down into the pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden-brown.
Let cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting into bars and storing in an airtight container.

Pumpkin Brownies

½ cup (120 ml) egg substitute, or 4 eggs
15 (150 g) medjool dates, pitted
1 cup (240 ml) applesauce
1¾ cup (405 g) Pumpkin Purée
2 cups (240 g) whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt, optional
2 teaspoons pumpkin spice

Place egg substitute, dates, applesauce and pumpkin puree into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 1 minute, using the tamper as necessary to press ingredients toward the blades. Stop the machine. Remove the lid and add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt to the container. Secure the lid. Pulse the machine 10-12 times on Variable 8, using the tamper to press ingredients toward the blades.
Transfer mixture to a greased 9×9 inch (23x23cm) non-stick square baking pan. Bake brownies for 30 minutes in a 350°F (175°C) oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. To serve, cut brownies and sprinkle with your favorite topping.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

2 large eggs
¼ cup (60 ml) light olive oil
1 can (425 g) Pumpkin Purée
¼ cup (60 ml) skim milk
¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt, optional
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1¾ cup (220 g) all-purpose flour
½ cup (120 g) chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly coat muffin pan with cooking spray, or use cupcake liners. Place eggs, oil, pumpkin, milk and sugar into the 48 ounce WET blade Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid. Select the puree setting and start the machine. Allow the program to run to completion. Remove the lid, and add all dry ingredients into the container. Secure the lid. Select Variable 1 and start the machine. Quickly move to Variable 10 and blend for 10 seconds. Portion into prepared muffin tins and bake for 20 – 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes then carefully remove muffins from the pan.

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