Pumpkin Pie Bites from The Titanium Chef

I love baking during this time of the year because I can use pumpkin!  I know I could bake with it all year long but there is just something about chilly weather that makes baking with pumpkin perfect.  Try this delicious recipe from The Biggest Loser's chef Devin Alexander.  It contains healthy fruits, whole grains and natural sweeteners.  And another great bonus is that pumpkins are loaded with the cancer-fighting antioxidant beta carotene.  What could be better than that, a delicious dessert that will also help prevent cancer?!?  Try it out, you won't be disappointed!

Pumpkin Pie Bites
Serves 32

Butter-flavored cooking spray
3/4 cup whole-grain, crunchy, low-sugar cereal (like Kashi's Whole-Grain Nuggets)
2 T maple syrup
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
8 egg whites
1 15-oz (1 3/4 cups) solid pumpkin puree
3/4 cup agave nectar
2 T whole-wheat pastry Flour
2 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Coat and 11X7 glass or ceramic baking dish with cooking spray. 

Finely grind cereal in food processer.  Transfer to a small mixing bowl and stir in syrup and cinnamon.  Spoon into baking dish; spread evenly across bottom.  Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, lightly beat egg whites until they bubble very slightly.  Fold in pumpkin, agave nectar and flour until well-combined.  Stir in vanilla, pie spice, baking powder and salt and continue mixing until well combined.  Pour into baked crust, spreading in an even layer.  Bake 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean.  Cool on wire rack.

Cut 32 pumpkin "bites" (3 cuts along the width, 7 cups along the length).  Top each bit with 1 tsp whipped topping, if desired.

Nutrition per "bite": 94 calories; trace fat; trace saturated fat; 0mg cholesterol; 102mg sodium; 21g carbohydrates; 15g sugar; 2g fiber; 3g protein.

Agave nectar-made from the Mexican agave plant-is available at most supermarkets, but make sure to buy a brand that doesn't contain added high-fructose corn syrup.  If you have a local Sam's Club or Costco they have by far the best deals on agave.