Easy Pumpkin Bars

Overview

Pumpkin bars topped with cream cheese frosting are an ideal way to use pumpkins from your home garden. They also provide beta-carotene, vitamin A and potassium, all of which pumpkins have in abundance. If necessary, you can use canned pureed pumpkin. Most grocery stores consider this a seasonal product, however, so it may be difficult to locate except in the fall. This recipe yields approximately 24 pumpkin bars.

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Step 3

Beat the eggs in a separate mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar, vegetable oil and pureed pumpkin to the eggs. Stir until thoroughly combined.

Step 4

Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix well with a fork or whisk. Do not use an electric mixer.

Step 5

Pour the batter into a lightly greased baking pan. Place in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool completely before adding the frosting.

Step 6

To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl. Cream together using an electric mixer on medium speed.

Step 7

Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. Beat with the mixer until the frosting has a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Step 8

Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin cake, and then cut into 24 equally sized bars, about 1 inch wide and 2 inches long. Sprinkle with chopped nuts if desired.