If you’re looking for a dessert to take to a holiday party or just love pumpkin, these squares are a healthier alternative that don’t taste healthy. I saw this recipe on the Whole Foods website on a day I had time to bake, but did not feel like going to the stores. Oddly enough, I happened to have all of these ingredients in my house except for whole wheat pastry flour. A quick search on Google told me that an acceptable substitution would be 1/2 cake flour and 1/2 whole wheat flour. Bingo – I quickly made them. The next day I took them to a party at a friend’s house where most of the attendees were in the fitness business. They were a hit. Don’t get me wrong, these have butter and you won’t get skinny eating them. 
I used all organic ingredients aside from the nuts and cake flour. I would definitely make sure that your dates haven’t gotten hard. I used large organic, soft dates and they made all the difference in the world. They are tough to keep separated when you cut them up as they glob together, but it’s ok, just try to manually spread them out in the pan when it’s time.
Recipe:
Serves 24
For a fragrant treat, add 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom to the batter when you add the cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. These autumn and winter sweets are perfect for packing in lunches.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (can use 1 1/4 cups cake flour and 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup water
1 pound pitted dates(about 3 cups), roughly chopped
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Method:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. In a second bowl, cream butter and sugar together with an electric mixer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin, vanilla and water and beat again until combined.
In a small bowl toss dates with 1/4 cup of flour mixture until coated well. Gradually add remaining flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, beating slowly. Stir in dates and pecans then transfer batter to a
greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan and spread out evenly.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool on a rack, then cut into squares and serve. (Do not overcook. Toward the end I watched it like a hawk so that it was just barely done – I like things moist.)
Whole Foods Gift Card Giveaway!
I am fortunate that through this website I can work with awesome companies that I have already been supporting for years. Whole Foods is going to giveaway a $10 gift card to one lucky La Jolla Mom reader. All you need to do to enter is tell me what your favorite holiday dessert is. After this entry, you’ll qualify for bonus entries which are listed below. Leave a separate comment for each bonus entry. If you’ve already done these things, it counts, so leave comments anyway.
1. Follow @WholeFoods on Twitter or your local Whole Foods Store (in my case that’s @WFMLaJolla).
2. Follow me on Twitter: @lajollamom
3. Subscribe to La Jolla Mom via RSS or Google Friend Connect
4. Subscribe to the Whole Foods blog here
Comments will be closed at 1pm on Monday, November 30. The winner is chosen by Random.org so the more entries you have, the higher your chances of winning are. Thank you Whole Foods! By the way, I love their iPhone app – try it.
I have a ticket to Disney’s Princess and the Frog Movie that I’m giving away to La Jolla Mom subscribers here. Also, don’t forget to enter the The Tote Buddy Reusable Bag Organizer giveaway. It makes eco friendly shopping easier!
{ 145 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a great contest.
I love Fruitcake!
Follow @WholeFoods on Twitter cdziuba
Follow on Twitter: @lajollamom cdziuba
subscriber
My favorite holiday dessert is either eggnog or my aunt’s famous apple pie!
I follow your blog with Google Friend Connect!
I follow @WFMEvanston on Twitter. I’m @Hurdler4eva
I am a fruitcake lover!
Following Whole Foods on Twitter: rhoneygee
Following lajollamom on Twitter: rhoneygee
That recipe sounds DEE-licious! And a gift card to Whole Foods would really be useful to buy the ingredients!
My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Add pecans and dates and you really have something!
chocolate pecan pie
tvollowitz at aol dot com
Twitter: Maven
November 21, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Do those ever sound good! I’m looking for healthier things to bake for Christmas and have saved this recipe. Thanks!
Maven´s last blog ..What’s Your Favourite Book?
Pumpkin pie! Thanks for the chance.
I make pumpkin crisp which is different than pie but oh so much better in my opinion . It is usually the first dessert gone.
pumpkin pie
My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pecan pie!
Follow @WholeFoods on Twitter@tcarolinep
Follow you on Twitter: @lajollamom@tcarolinep
I’m a subscriber.
Subscriber to the Whole Foods blog :tcarolinep at gmail dot com
I love cheesecake!
I love a good apple crisp this time of year.
Twitter: aitmama
November 22, 2009 at 8:13 am
My favorite dessert is creme brulee!
Dina´s last blog ..Audiobook Giveaway: Cheating Death by Dr. Sanjay Gupta (Ends 12/6)
Twitter: aitmama
November 22, 2009 at 8:14 am
Follow @WholeFoods on Twitter
Twitter: aitmama
November 22, 2009 at 8:14 am
Follow U on Twitter: @lajollamom
Twitter: aitmama
November 22, 2009 at 8:15 am
Subscribe to La Jolla Mom via Google Friend Connect
Dina´s last blog ..Audiobook Giveaway: Cheating Death by Dr. Sanjay Gupta (Ends 12/6)
My favorite is Sweet Potatoe Pie!
follow you on twitter as Missybeez80
follow whole foods on twitter as Missybeez80
My favorite holiday dessert is a piece of Marzipan candy. My grandmother (when she was alive) used to send me some every year for the holidays and it always brings back such wonderful memories of her – a very special lady!
I’m a subscriber (and a local!)!
My favorite holiday dessert is always pumpkin pie. I LOVE LOVE LOVE pumpkin flavors!!
I follow Whole Foods and you on twitter!
great recipe and whole foods is the best…..love the organic selection
My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie.
Twitter: projecthope7
November 22, 2009 at 6:05 pm
my fave holiday dessert is pumpkin custard with vanilla whipped cream, with a dash of chai spices onver the whipped cream! yummm!
cathy b
projecthope7 at gmail dot com
Apple pie
Follow whole foods on twitter @juliemeagan
Follow you on twitter @juliemeagan
Subscribe via rss
Twitter: projecthope7
November 22, 2009 at 7:05 pm
following Wholefoods on twitter.
@projecthope7
cathy b
projecthope7 at gmaild ot com
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Twitter: projecthope7
November 22, 2009 at 7:07 pm
i follow @lajollamom on twitter.
@projecthope7
cathy b
projecthope7 at gmail dot com
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Twitter: projecthope7
November 22, 2009 at 7:08 pm
i follow you on google connect.
cathy b
projecthope7 at gmail dot com
Cathy B´s last blog ..Casting Crowns..Praise You in the Storms
Twitter: projecthope7
November 22, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I subscribe to the WF blog. and newsletters.
cathy b
projecthope7 at gmail dot com
Cathy B´s last blog ..Casting Crowns..Praise You in the Storms
My mother’s apple pies.
I absolutely love all Christmas cookies! We make tons every year.
Katie´s last blog ..Can I get a re-do?
My favorite holiday dessert is United Dairy Farmers’ Peppermint Ice Cream. They only sell it in November and December, so it really is a holiday treat. Shh, don’t tell anyone, but I don’t like pie.
Stephanie Reed´s last blog ..A Recipe for Writing
Pumpkin custard with Vanilla whipped cream! OMG… Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
My favorite is my mom’s Pumpkin Pecan Pie. Thank you!
Oooh, I think my fave would have to be a sliver of pecan pie with a dollop of real whipped cream. I normally am not a pie eater at other times of the year but there’s something about fall that really brings out the pie in me:-)
If I win this gift card I just might use it at the LA JOLLA Whole Foods! It is my fave WF around. I love the people watching and the friendly folks who work there.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Juliet Grossman´s last blog ..Get Inspired by Safeway/Vons This Thanksgiving
My favorite holiday dessert is eggnog creme brulee. A local restaurant has it, and it’s such a treat!!
I follow Whole Foods on Twitter (I am @krtrumpet).
gooseberry pie!!!
umm probably cheese cake wee make them for christmas
hmm. For me it’s a tie between pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie. thanks for the giveaway.
cthompson1477@gmail.com
I follow you through Google Connect
Favorite holiday dessert? You’re going to make me pick one? Nuh uh. Ain’t gonna happen! Coconut cake, cookies, stained glass window candy, toffee (getting the impression I have a WICKED sweet tooth?!)…
I subscribed to Whole Foods’ blog via Google Reader
My favorite holiday dessert is Gingerbread cookies!
Favorite holiday dessert is sugar cookies!
Following on google friend connect
My favorite Holiday Dessert is Pumpkin pie with whipped cream!
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
I follow Whole Foods on Twitter @cezovski
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
I follow you on Twitter @cezovski
digicat{at}sbcglobal{dot}net
I follow you on Google Friends Connect – Carolsue
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
I subscribe to Whole Foods via RSS feed
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
I love pecan pie!
i like blackbottoms!
I love cheesecake!
Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!
Janna Johnson
janna@FeedYourPigBlog.com
jannajanna@hotmail.com
http://www.FeedYourPigBlog.com
following whole foods on twitter as feedyourpig
My favorite holiday dessert is sugar cookies decorated with icing!
My all-time favorite are my mom’s poppy seed filled Kolacky, which she still makes with lard…
I’ve tried to replicate the recipe without lard with no luck, mom’s always taste better!
Following you on Twitter!
Pumpkin Pie
I follow your blog.
I follow WholeFoods.
I follow lajollamom.
i love these peppermint pinwheel cookies my grandma used to make!
i follow them on twitter! @ferriza2
i follow you on twitter @ferriza2
ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com
google follower: ferriz
Twitter: heaventrees
November 29, 2009 at 3:33 am
My favorite holiday dessert is actually the cookies we make every year for Christmas.
My fav Holiday dessert is all the cookies.
poppy seed rolls
Love pecan pie….mmmm
Pumpkin Pie!
I love buttermilk pie.
Pumpkin Pie!!
Homemade donuts
My favorite is red velvet cake!! Thanks.
Follower on GFC. Thanks
My favorite holiday desert is “Pecan Pie”. We only have it on Thanksgiving day as a special treat.
Pumpkin pie is my favorite
We love apple pie for the holidays.
My double almond cookies that I make every Christmas.
Twitter: http://thriftyjinxy.blogspot.com/
November 29, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I love frosted sugar cookies.
Twitter: http://thriftyjinxy.blogspot.com/
November 29, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I’m following you on Twitter. (My Twitter name is @ThriftyJinxy)
I can’t get enough of Pumpkin Pie
Twitter: sbshortie
November 29, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I love anything with peppermint…and pumpkin pie
Thanks!
Becca´s last blog ..Sick again
Twitter: sbshortie
November 29, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I am following WholeFoods and WFMSanta Barbara on twitter (I am sbshortie)
Becca´s last blog ..Sick again
Twitter: sbshortie
November 29, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I am following you on twitter (I am sbshortie)
Becca´s last blog ..Sick again
Big fan of whole foods, I get the freshist fruit and Vegies there, Love their salad and hot food bar/ My fav pie is a sweet potato pie, better than pumpkin
singermagic1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Twitter: sbshortie
November 29, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I joined your blog with Google Friend Connect
Becca´s last blog ..Sick again
Twitter: sbshortie
November 29, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I subscribed to the Whole Foods blog
Becca´s last blog ..Sick again
My new favorite is a Pumpkin roll that I had at my friend’s house at Thanksgiving. It had a cream cheese filling and was delicious. Thanks for the contest.
I love Pecan Pie
My favorite is pumpkin pie (with a little slice of mince pie on the side…and don’t forget the whipped cream!)
Twitter: no
November 30, 2009 at 6:12 am
My favorite is pumpkin pie!
Twitter: no
November 30, 2009 at 6:14 am
I follow you on Twitter @amylou61
Twitter: no
November 30, 2009 at 6:17 am
I’m subscribed to the Whole Foods blog in Google Reader
Twitter: no
November 30, 2009 at 6:20 am
I tried to follow Whole Foods on Twitter, but it said I’m blocked??? (I sent a message to Whole Foods to see why)
Also, my prior comments show the word “no” next to Twitter. Sorry about that, my computer’s form filler put that in & I didn’t see it.
My favorite holiday (and non-holiday) pie is apple!
I follow Whole Foods on twitter – bsw529
I follow you on twitter – bsw529
I subscribe with google friends connect
I subscribed to Whole Foods Blog with google reader
Twitter: dddiva
November 30, 2009 at 8:00 am
There are so many- from pumpkin roll to homemade fudge to snowball cookies I love them all.
Dddiva´s last blog ..New look for the holidays – what do you think?
Twitter: dddiva
November 30, 2009 at 8:01 am
I follow Whole Foods on Twitter- dddiva
Dddiva´s last blog ..New look for the holidays – what do you think?
Twitter: dddiva
November 30, 2009 at 8:02 am
I follow you on Twitter- dddiva
Dddiva´s last blog ..New look for the holidays – what do you think?
Twitter: dddiva
November 30, 2009 at 8:02 am
Google friends
Dddiva´s last blog ..New look for the holidays – what do you think?
Twitter: dddiva
November 30, 2009 at 8:04 am
I subscriber to Whole Foods via Google Reader
Dddiva´s last blog ..New look for the holidays – what do you think?
Twitter: js22222222
November 30, 2009 at 8:53 am
warm apple pie with peppermint ice cream is my favorite holiday dessert!
Thanks for the giveaway!
oldskool fruitcake is my fav
Twitter: js22222222
November 30, 2009 at 9:04 am
i follow @lajollamom on twitter – js22222222 .
Twitter: js22222222
November 30, 2009 at 9:05 am
i follow @WholeFoods on twitter – js22222222 .
Twitter: js22222222
November 30, 2009 at 9:05 am
I subscribe to your blog’s feed via google reader.
Twitter: js22222222
November 30, 2009 at 9:06 am
I subscribe to Whole Foods blog’s feed via google reader.
My favorite holiday treat isn’t really a dessert. It’s divinity candy. It is so rich I never make it the rest of the year.
My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie!
I follow Whole Foods on Twitter as willitara.
I follow LaJolla Mom on Twitter as willitara.
I subscribe in Google reader.
I subscribe to the Whole Foods blog in Google reader.
I love pumpkin cake roll sprinkled with powdered sugar and topped with whipped cream
My favorite holiday dessert is apple pie
I love Pumpkin Pie. Thanks
following Whole Foods on twitter.
@ccboobooy
Subscribed via Google Friend Connect.
charity/ccboobooy
Twitter: likwan
November 30, 2009 at 12:50 pm
My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie.
Twitter: likwan
November 30, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I follow you on Twitter.
Twitter: likwan
November 30, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I follow Whole Foods Market on Twitter.
Twitter: likwan
November 30, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I subscribed to your blog.
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