Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Maple Graham Crackers

11/4/14

Heavenly autumn aromas will linger in the air as you pull a batch of these healthy snacks out of your oven, and the kids will come running for these homemade Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Maple Graham Crackers.

Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Maple Graham Crackers

It’s super adorable when little ones are learning how to talk. Yeah, until they learn words like “No” and “Mine”. For the longest time, regardless of what you asked him, King Stuff would just nod his head in agreement. “Do you need a diaper change?” *nods* “Do you want to play in the den while mommy makes dinner?” *nods* “Do you need a nap?” *nods* “Do you want more to eat?” *nods*

Now, no matter what you ask, the answer is “No”. Sometimes it’s a very sweet “no, mama”, but, you know, “Do you need a diaper change?” “NOOOOOOOOO,” while running in the opposite direction with his pants sagging down behind him. “Do you want to play in the den while mommy makes dinner?” “NOOOOOOOO,” while wrapping his arms around my legs as I am trying doing perfectly safe things like chopping vegetables with a chef’s knife or opening a 400°F oven. “Do you need a nap?” “NOOOOOOO” while throwing himself down on the floor. “Do you want more to eat?” “NOOOOOO,” while hurling his plate and cup across the room.

Verbal skills are overrated.

He also says one sentence, “I want ___, mama.” Awesome, so now he spends his day ordering me around. “I want wa-wa, mama.” “I want out, mama.” “I want up, mama.”

And, of course, if he sees, these sitting on the counter, “I want snack, mama.”

Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Maple Graham Crackers – now these are most definitely not overrated. I’ll be honest, I was anticipating that they would end up more crunchy like the store-bought graham crackers. So I guess either I didn’t roll them thin enough or didn’t bake them long enough. You know what, I’m cool with that. King Stuff only just sprouted teeth #7 and #8, so hard and crunchy isn’t quite his specialty. And the crunchier something is, the more crumbs all over my house. So soft and chewy will do just fine for me. And my boys don’t seem to mind.

These graham crackers are hearty and healthy from using all whole wheat flour, sweetened naturally with pure maple syrup, and of course that hint of pumpkin. The smells coming out of my oven as these were baking were just amazing. I sprinkled the top with a bit of maple sugar, but it kinda dissolved, so do it or not, use turbaned sugar, cinnamon sugar, none at all – whatever strikes your fancy.

Now, I mean, can you blame the one and a half year old (and even the four year old) for demanding more “snack”? Tasty, healthy, sweet and pumpkinninny!

What were some of the first things your kids said?

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Maple Graham Crackers

Homemade graham crackers with the autumn flavors of maple syrup and pumpkin are a healthy snack your kids will love.

Course: Cookies, desssert, Snack

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour plus more if needed
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup one stick unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
• 1/2 cup of pure maple syrup
• 3/4 cup of pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla
• Optional maple sugar cinnamon sugar, turbinado or coarse sugar

Instructions

• Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
• Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the butter until you have small crumbly bits.
• Add the maple syrup, pumpkin, and vanilla and mix well, kneading in extra flour if the dough is too sticky.
• Roll dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 3o minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with silico.e baking mats or parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4-1/2 inch thickness.
• Using a sharp knife, cut into about 1 1/2 inch squares or rectangles. Prick holes in the top (I used a chopstick).
• prick holes in the tops
• Sprinkle with sugar, if desired.
• Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until set and lightly browned (longer if you would like the crispier).
• Cool on baking sheets for about two or three minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Adapted from Heather's French Press

Enjoy!

Here are some more healthy pumpkin recipes…

• Pumpkin Maple Spice Granola Bars
• Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
• Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Maple Pecan Crust

Plus a few from my friends…

• Pumpkin Spice Latte Overnight Oats from The Healthy Maven
• Pumpkin Protein Bars from Food Faith Fitness
• Low Carb Gluten Free Pumpkin Flan from Al Day I Dream About Food

And my entire Pinterest board…
Follow Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips’s board Obsession – Pumpkin on Pinterest.