1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Prepare the Baking Pan:

   • Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with a bit of oil or cooking spray. This will make it easier to remove the brownies after baking.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of almond butter, 1/4 cup of maple syrup, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Use a whisk or hand mixer to blend the ingredients until they are smooth and well combined.

4. Add Dry Ingredients:

   • To the wet mixture, add 1/3 cup of cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (if using), and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir until all the ingredients are well incorporated and a smooth batter forms.

5. Pour Into Baking Dish:

   • Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Optionally, sprinkle 1/4 cup of dark chocolate chips over the top of the batter for extra chocolate flavor.

6. Bake:

   • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You can check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the brownies—if it comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay), the brownies are done.

7. Cool and Slice:

   • Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, lift them out using the parchment paper and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing them into squares.

8. Serve:

   • Once cooled, slice the brownies into squares and serve. Enjoy your delicious and healthy pumpkin brownies!

These flourless pumpkin brownies are a healthier alternative to traditional brownies, incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients while maintaining a rich, chocolaty flavor. Enjoy!