Spicy Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin Bars Recipe

As always, begin by reading through the pumpkin cookies/bars recipe to make sure you have everything you need and gather your ingredients. Mixing and baking is so much easier when you have everything within reach. To keep life simple, I always use canned pumpkin puree but if you prefer, feel free to peel, boil and mash fresh pumpkin. Just don't use canned pumpkin pie filling!

And remember to smell your spices before you use them since they only have a 6-month shelf life. If they've lost their scent it means they've lost their flavor too, so you will want to replace them.

I use half white flour and half white wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour when making these yummy pumpkin bars but you can use all white flour if you want.

• 2 cups (canned) pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup canola oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
2. Lightly grease a 10x15-inch jellyroll pan.
3. Alternatively line your pan with parchment or greased foil.
4. Beat together pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and salt in a large mixing bowl with either an electric mixer or whisk.
5. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spice in a medium bowl with a whisk until well blended.
6. Stir dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. You don't want to over mix the batter since this can make your pumpkin cookies/bars tough.
7. Pour the pumpkin batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the sides begin to pull away and the top springs back when lightly touched.
9. Let cool on a wire rack.
10. Cut into desired size bars -- small. medium, or super-sized -- it's your choice.

Pumpkin Bars Recipe - Frosting #1
Plain Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1-2 tablespoons milk, as needed to provide desired consistency
• 2 to 3 cups confectioner's sugar

1. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and milk with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually beat in confectioner's sugar until desired consistency is achieved.

Pumpkin Bars Recipe - Frosting #2
Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon orange oil or 2 teaspoons orange extract
• 1-2 tablespoons milk, as needed to provide desired consistency
• 2 to 3 cups confectioner's sugar

1. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, orange oil or orange extract, and milk with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually beat in confectioner's sugar until desired consistency is achieved.