Pumpkin Spice Mini Cheesecakes

These yummy mini’s are made for any time of the year. Filled with beta-carotene rich pumpkins and calcium bolstering pecans they are a healthy treat. Pumpkins are not only for carving but great for many nutritious foods.  You can add them to smoothies, non-dairy yogurts or muffins. Delish! 

Feature Super Food:  Pumpkins

Prep. Time: 20 min. | Cook Time: 0 min. |Total Time: 20 min.+ 1hr. freezer | Servings:   |Serving Size: ¼ cup 

Free From: Gluten, Dairy, Soy

 

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 2 cups pecans, soaked overnight (optional)
• 7 medjool dates
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted

 

Filling:

• 1 cups cashews, soaked overnight
• 1-28 oz. (796 mL) can pumpkin puree
• 4 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
• ¼ cup maple syrup or raw honey
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract, pure
• 2 tsp. ginger, minced
• 1 ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• ¼ tsp. sea salt
• Mint leaves, garnish
• Pumpkin seeds, garnish

Directions:

1. Put pecans in a blender and pulse until crumbly.  Add dates and coconut oil.  Process until well blended.  After saving a bit for garnishing, put 2 tablespoons in each mini-cheesecake holder and press down firmly.  Place in the freezer until you are ready to fill.
2. Add cashews, pumpkin puree, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ginger, nutmeg and sea salt into a blender and blend until creamy and smooth.
3. Fill each cheesecake holder until it is full with the pumpkin mixture.  Return to the freezer for about 1 hour or until firm. When ready to serve garnish with a touch of crust crumbles, mint leaf and pumpkin seeds.  You can also add a dollop of homemade whipped cream or dairy free yogurt!

Nutritional Facts: Calories: 343.2 | Total Fat 29.5g , Saturated Fat 8.9 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2.5 g, Monounsaturated Fat 4.5 g | Cholesterol 8mg | Sodium 92.2 mg | Potassium 231.7 mg | Total Carbohydrates 31.4 g | Dietary Fiber 3.4 g | Natural Sugar 18.4 g | Protein 8.5 g |* Vitamin C 51.6% |  *Vitamin A 16.5%  | Manganese 32.1%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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