Fall Seasonal Treats with a Healthy Twist

California Live’s Malou Nubla and Nutritionist, Ashley Hawk-Reinke are talking pumpkin season and heart health. Ashley shares some of her nutritious Fall favorites… easy-to-do recipes for pumpkin goodies to make at home. From Pumpkin Peanut Butter bites and Cheesecake Pumpkin Parfaits to Pumpkin Oat Bars. Find the recipes below. **Pumpkin Cheesecake Parfait** (servings size 3 parfaits) -Ingredients: 2 Sheets of Graham Crackers (crushed) ½ Cup low fat cream cheese ½ Cup pumpkin puree 2 tbsp sweetener (optional) 1 tsp Pumpkin pie spice ½ cup chopped walnuts -Directions: 1. In a large bowl mix together the pumpkin, cream cheese, sweetener, and pumpkin pie until smooth and well combined. 2. Take the crushed Graham crackers and put them in the bottom of a jar or bowl and use the back of the spoon to push them flat. 3. Layer the pumpkin mixture with the walnuts and add favorite toppings of choice! **Peanut Butter Pumpkin Bites** -Ingredients: 2 cups old fashioned oats – gluten free if needed ½ cup creamy peanut butter ½ cup pumpkin puree ¼ cup honey – sub maple syrup to make them vegan 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of salt ¼ cup mini chocolate chips -Directions: 1. Add peanut butter, pumpkin purée, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt, to a bowl and stir until creamy. 2. Add the oats in one 1/2 cup at a time until the mixture is fully incorporated adding the chocolate chips last. 3. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out 1-inch rounds and using your hands shape them into balls. 4. Put the plate with all your bites in the refrigerator for at least an hour or freeze until you are ready to enjoy your peanut butter pumpkin bites! **Pumpkin Oat Bars** 1 cup white whole wheat flour (or gf 1:1 flour) 1 cup quick cooking oats 2 tsp pumpkin spice 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup oil or butter 1/2 cup sugar (or brown sugar) 2 tbsp flax seed with 3 tbsp water (flax egg) 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup chocolate chips -Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350F. 2. Grease 8×8 inch baking pan with cooking spray or parchment paper. 3. In a medium bowl mix together flour, oats, pumpkin spice, baking soda and salt. 4. In a large bowl beat pumpkin, oil, sugar, flax eggs, and vanilla together. 5. Add dry ingredients into wet and stir well. Then add in chocolate chips 6. Pour batter into prepared pan; spreading evenly with a rubber spatula. 7. Bake for 16-18 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into squares. 8. Store on counter for up to 5 days or freezer for longer.