Pumpkin Bars

Daughter M asked for the recipe for my Pumpkin Bars on Face book and several people wanted the recipe, so I'm posting it here for you all to enjoy.  The recipe if simple and fast to make.  The ingredients are probably already on your pantry shelf especially this time of year.

Being a traditionalist, I mix the sugar, oil and eggs together, then add the dry ingredients.  Last, I mix in the pumpkin well.  At this point it looks like this.

You will put the batter in two 13 x 9 cake pans that have either been greased and floured or sprayed with baking spray -- the kind with the flour in it.  That's what I do, it so much faster and easier!  After 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven, they look like this.

Next comes the good stuff -- the cream cheese/butter frosting.  I sift the powdered sugar, but you don't have to.  It just makes it creamier to me, so I take the time to do this.  It's up to you, but it is SO creamy when you do this.

Since there are TWO, you can keep one at home and take one to share with friends or co-workers.  That's the best part!

That is Starbucks coffee made with freshly ground beans, but these are equally good with Earl Grey tea.
YUM!  and your house will smell terrific as well.  Enjoy.  Here is the recipe. I know you are saying "Finally!"

Recipe:

PUMPKIN BARS

2 C. sugar                                                                                       1 tsp. cloves

1 C oil                                                                                            2 tsp. cinnamon

4 eggs                                                                                             2 tsp. baking powder

dash salt                                                                                          1 tsp soda

2 C flour                                                                                          1 C pumpkin

Put in a large bowl and beat well.  Bake in two 9 x 13 cake pans 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Frosting:

2 tsp milk

3 C powdered sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1 stick butter (yes, the REAL thing)

1 8oz package cream cheese (can use the 1/3 less fat version to counteract the butter)

Beat cheese and butter smooth.  Add the remaining ingredients and continue beating until well blended and smooth.  Spread on the cooled bars.

Hope you enjoy this as much as our family does.

Lois