Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp (5g) baking soda
- ½ tsp (3g) salt
- 1 tbsp (6g) ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp (1g) ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp (1g) ground cloves
- 1 cup (245g) canned pumpkin puree
- ½ cup (120ml) unsweetened applesauce
- ¾ cup (150g) coconut sugar
- 2 large (100g) eggs
- 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp (30g) Greek yogurt, plain and strained
- 4 tbsp (55g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
- 1g salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13x9 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, and lightly grease the paper with oil.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until uniform.
- Stir in the pumpkin puree, applesauce, and coconut sugar using a spatula.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, until the batter is smooth and mahogany-colored.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 22-25 minutes until the edges pull away slightly and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool completely.
- Beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and Greek yogurt until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, beating until fluffy. Spread evenly over the cooled bars.