BistroMD is here to harmonize sweet treat temptations of chocolate with nutritional qualities. Take a bite out of these healthy homemade Snickers recipe!

Homemade Pumpkin Snickers

Ingredients

Crust
•½ cup raw almonds
•1 Tbsp. peanut butter
•½ cup dates, pitted
•¼ cup lightly salted peanuts, unshelled

"Caramel"-Pumpkin Filling
•¼ cup dates, pitted
•¼ cup pumpkin puree
•1 tsp vanilla extract
•1 Tbsp. maple syrup

Chocolate
•1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
•2 Tbsp. coconut oil

Directions

1. In a food processor, mix the first three crust ingredients - almonds, peanut butter, and dates. The mixture should press together like a dough.
2. Place the mixture into a lined baking sheet, either with wax or parchment paper. Press into an even layer and sprinkle the peanuts onto the crust. Set aside.
3. Blend together the filling - dates, pumpkin puree, vanilla, and maple syrup. Add a tablespoon or two of water if needed to help break down the ingredients into a paste.
4. Spread the filling onto the crust and peanut layer.
5. Slowly melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave and mix until creamy.
6. Drizzle the melted chocolate atop of the filling and allow to harden.
7. Cut into 12 bars and keep in the freezer up until serving.

Nutritional Comparison

Benefits of Pumpkin

Along with the desirable fall flavors that accompany pumpkin, it offers a wide variety of health benefits including:

Weight Loss
Pumpkin is low in calories while high in fiber, as one cup of canned pumpkin provides approximately 80 calories and 8 grams of fiber! High fiber foods initiate satiety for longer periods of time and reduces the opportunity to overeat.

Eye Health
Pumpkin offers a significant amount of vitamin A, almost double the amount of its recommended daily needs! Vitamin A, also known as beta carotene, fosters good vision and eye sight, especially in dimmed light. Vitamin A deficiency can result to night blindness, a condition characterized by poor vision at night or in low light.

Disease Prevention
Pumpkin can prevent against disease in more ways than one. Firstly, the high fiber content can reduce blood cholesterol levels, thus lessening the risk of heart disease. The vast antioxidant-properties fight against cellular damage and cancer development.

Boosted Immunity
The antioxidant properties of pumpkin ultimately have the potential to strengthen the immune system. Zinc has a large role in regulating immune function, as research indicates it may hold valuable use in treating the common cold.