KETO Friendly Pumpkin Mousse Squares ~ Delicious, Gluten & Sugar Free!

One Light & Luscious Pumpkin
Mousse Square.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup almond flour
2 tablespoons sugar free maple syrup**
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon pink Himalayan or sea salt
16 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature***
1 cup Lakanto Powdered sweetener
2/3 cup organic pumpkin puree
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice****
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 envelope "Whip It" (optional)
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional)

**I used 2 tablespoons sugar free caramel syrup and 1/8 teaspoon maple extract.
***If your cream cheese is not at room temperature, you can heat it for two 20 second intervals, in a microwave oven.
****To make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice Seasoning, see this recipe:
https://carriekitchencreations.blogspot.com/2019/10/homemade-pumpkin-spice-seasoning.html

Method:
Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9 inch square pan. Set aside. Place the butter in a medium microwavable bowl. Heat for 10 second intervals or just until melted. Add the almond flour, syrup, cinnamon and salt. Stir to blend and then pat evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Place the cream cheese in a large bowl. Sift the powdered sweetener over the cheese. Add the pumpkin, cream, spice and vanilla. Use an electric mixer to blend the ingredients. If desired, add the Whip It and the xanthan gum. Continue mixing until well blended, smooth and fluffy.
Spread evenly on top of the fully cooled crust. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, or until the filling has set. (To speed this process, you may place in the freezer for an hour.) Cut into 16 equal squares. Makes 16 servings.

Optional Garnishes: 
If desired, top a square with a tiny dollop of whipped cream.
Or, microwave 1 tablespoon of of sugar free chocolate chips with 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil, at 20 second intervals, until melted. Stir to blend and drizzle on the plate and square.

Notes: 
The whip it and xanthan gum help the mousse to set and to hold it's shape.

Whip It can be purchased at World Market,
online, or at German/International markets.
It is an almost zero carb powder, that helps
whipped cream not to become liquid and to
hold it's whipped shape.

These are a perfect dessert to serve to family and friends. (Okay, my husband and I ate them for breakfast, too!)

Nutritional info per square with Whip it & xanthan gum (without garnish):
approximately 194.26 calories ~ 18.44 grams fat ~ 3.45 grams net carbs 
~ 3.6 grams protein