Pumpkin Protein Fudge

Yes, you read that title correctly. The following recipe is a guilt-free, delicious, protein-rich and fiber dense PUMPKIN FUDGE. Before you even make it, let me just say, you're welcome. You are so very welcome, and later we can think of a way for you to pay me back for the wonderful thing I just did for you by making this recipe. 

It's fall, and for some reason, as the temperatures begin to dip, sweets start sounding, well, a little sweeter. Our sweet tooth is in over drive with the idea of pumpkin rolls and pumpkin pies and pecan bars and all kinds of dental rotting goodness. So what if you had a recipe for something to satisfy your craving, while still keeping that diet and exercise plan on track? Win-win, right?

Well, then, without further adieu:

Gather:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 3 tbsp natural almond butter
• 4 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
• ½ banana
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 
• 1 heaping tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 3 packets stevia --- or you could also use 2 Tbsp of coconut palm sugar, or 2 Tbsp of pure maple syrup 

Method:

• Heat coconut oil in a saucepan at medium heat. Add in pumpkin puree and sautee until warmed (about 3 minutes).
• Meanwhile, in a bowl mix together almond butter, stevia, banana, and almond milk. (The mixture may be a little clumpy from the banana but that is fine!)
• Add the almond butter mixture to the saucepan with the pumpkin and oil and stir together.
• Stir in the cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and protein powder.
• Transfer the entire mixture to a food processor or blender and process/blend until smooth.
• Pour the mixture into a muffin mold/brownie pan/cake pan and garnish with cinnamon. (I used a silicone muffin mold which makes it very easy to pop the fudge out when it's done, alternatively you can make these into bars by using a brownie pan)
• Freeze for at least 1 hour, or until firm.

That's it. Whip up a batch this weekend and you can send thank you notes right to the Norton P.O. Box. Have a great day and be well!