Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Maple Graham Crackers
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?
Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Maple Graham Crackers
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.
Enjoy!
Here are some more healthy pumpkin recipes…
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- 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.
DON’T MISS OUT! MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ME FOR YUMMY RECIPES!
Sandi says
Can I use pumpkin from a can? I know you directly differently but I’m in a rural town that doesn’t get a lot of produce like that. If so, should i cut moisture from something else? Excited to try!
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Hi Sandi,
I apologize for the delay in my response. Yes, canned pumpkin puree is what I use to make the recipe. Just be sure that it’s 100% pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.
Azza says
Thanks for your lovely, healthy, yummy recipe,they turned out to be awesome, smells nice , although mine didn’t have the colour of yours,mine was brownish, don’t know why,but taste yummy, every body liked it, thanks again.
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the graham crackers recipe, Azza!
Joanna says
I have never had luck making crispy pumpkin anything. Something about the pumpkin renders everything soft. These are good, but no way are my kids going to accept them as crackers. Very poofy and soft. Sort of a very thin cake? Not gonna work out as a pie crust, folks. (Cookies for ice cream sandwiches, though? That could work.)
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Call them Pumpkin Cookies? 🙂 They taste yummy regardless of what you call them, and I love the ice cream sandwich idea!
Sweta says
These cookies sound so yummy, can’t wait to try them. However is it possible to cut the butter out a little bit?
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I have not tried it, so can’t confirm the results. You may be able to sub in something like Greek yogurt. If you do, let me know.
Theresa says
How many cookies (1.5 inch squares) does one recipe make?
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
OK, I’ll be honest, I forgot to count before my boys started devouring them. Quite a lot!
dina says
these look like yummy crackers!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks! My boys loved them!
Blair says
Yum! I need to make these! My graham cracker-loving boys would adore these, just like your kids. Pinned! 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Mine have been gobbling them up!
[email protected] and Spicy Monkey says
Mmm, I want snack too! These look yummy and they sound so wholesome and healthy! Pinned! 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you! Healthy, but most importantly yummy!
Ali @ Inspiralized says
What a simple and flavorful recipe! I love graham crackers, so I will DEFINITELY be trying this!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
It is surprisingly simple to make things that most people buy in the store.
Alexis AKA MOM says
Wow those sound so yummy! Thank you for the recipe.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks, enjoy!
heather @french press says
why have I never thought to make pumpkin grahams – they look and sound delicious – and YES verbal skills are highly overrated says the mother of a moody pre-teen daughter
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Hahahaha!
Julie @ Texan New Yorker says
These look so fun – that’s so unique to make PUMPKIN graham crackers. I would have never thought of that, and now my mind is spinning with possibilities of what other flavors to use in homemade graham crackers.
I don’t have kids, but my 18 month old niece has apparently started saying “No way!” So it’s like, “C, do you need a diaper change?” “No way!!” She’s a trip… 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Crazy kids! And yes, I want to try some other flavors too. I’m thinking banana nut.
Linda | Brunch with Joy says
Awww…you reminded me of my niece when she turned two and suddenly became Miss No-No. She would reply everything we said with no, lol. That was cute…for a while. 🙂 But these pumpkin graham crackers are super fun to make and the ingredients are so simple. This will be perfect for tea time.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Haha, yeah, I guess all kids go through that stage. And yes, perfect for tea!
Heidi says
Is it 1 cup of butter, which is 2 sticks or 1/2 cup butter which is one stick? I will definitely be making these.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Sorry, I fixed it. 1/2 cup with one stick.
Heidi says
Thanks. It is today’s baking experiment. 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Enjoy!
Michelle says
These look fantastic and I love your photos. Definitely trying these!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks so much!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
PUMPKIN Graham crackers that are homemade? You blow my mind lady! Can you imagine these as a cheesecake crust!? DEAD.
Thanks for sharing my Pumpkin Protein Bars! Pinned!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I know, and someone else even suggested using the dough AS a pie crust. I have to try that!