By Jacquelyn Gwin Thompson “That Little Buff Chef”

There is a fairy tale ending for us yet and it’s in the form of a super healthy, no-bake protein bar you can make at home (with your favorite protein by XTEND)! Even if you find yourself snacking on these pumpkin bars at midnight or later, unlike poor Cinderella, these are a healthy version and one that won’t leave us feeling like anything less than a princess because this recipe is low fat, moderately low carb, high protein, and tastes just like the yummy pumpkin-y part of a pumpkin pie (a.k.a. the filling). Plus, as I mentioned already it’s no bake! Just mix it up and let it chill to set, and slice!

Yes of course, I love pumpkin as much as anyone but it’s not just because it’s everywhere, and I tend to be picky still about my pumpkin pickings. I grew up (and still get to indulge in) my grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie and the real deal, old-fashioned way of making pumpkin bread (in a coffee can as a baking tin, if you know you know, and maybe a healthy spin on that classic will have to also come at a later time). Growing up on the real deal, I’m lucky enough that I don’t fall prey to store bought pies, tarts, treats, and lattes as much. But my grandma also makes hers well, the old-fashioned way with lot's of sugar, butter, canned sweetened condensed milk (and love).

My mom being a proper superhero IRL, fashioned a healthier version similar to a pumpkin bar well before protein bars were in every market and grocery store. Unlike a pie or bar though, these were chewy and sticky, crustless, baked using egg whites and, combined with my grandma’s pumpkin treats, helped inspire me to make this dish.

The thing is, my mom’s version, although healthy, wasn’t stable to keep very long, being that it had egg whites and it was quite sticky, and the longer you kept it the goo-ier it would get, which was great for a large family or get together, but if I’m making a treat for me and not a crowd, I have to know it’ll last longer than a day or two.

I also wanted this to be something anyone can whip up, very fairy godmother style, bippity boppity boop, not bippity boppity, cream the sugar and eggs, whisk in the wet, fold in the dry, fold in more. again, level it, bake it, etc… See how involved that gets?

So with all of this being said I feel that I have done my best to convince you as to why you need this recipe in your life.

So without further a-do, I present to you, the recipe for my XTEND Pro No Bake Pumpkin Pie Protein Bars.