By Hannah Wallace, Reporter
Pumpkin Bars are a tasty fall treat that are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Spices blend together create spongy moist and delicious bars, topped off perfectly with creamy maple cream cheese frosting. They are perfect for every occasion and are sure to please people of all ages.
Ingredients:
- 1-3/4 c. pure cane sugar
- 1/2 c. melted butter
- 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
- 4 eggs
- 1 15 oz. pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie puree)
- 1-1/4 c. all-purpose flour
- 3/4 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. allspice
- 1/4 tsp. cloves
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Maple cream cheese frosting:
- 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- 6 T. unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 c. powdered sugar (use 2-1/4 cups for a thicker frosting)
- 1/4 c. pure maple syrup
Directions:
- Grease a 10-inch by 15-inch pan. Preheat oven to 350 ° F.
2.2. In a mixer, mix together sugar, butter, applesauce, eggs and the pumpkin puree.
3.3. In a different bowl, use the whisk to mix together the flours, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and salt.
4. With mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture into the first set of instructions. Then pour batter into pan.
5. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool bars completely.
6. Make the Maple Cream Cheese frosting. In the mixer mix together the cream cheese and butter. Slowly add in the powdered sugar. Mix in the maple syrup. Put the frosting in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Be sure to do this to keep it from sliding off the bars.
7. After the frosting has been chilled long enough, ice the bars, and sprinkle cinnamon on top.
8. Cut into squares and serve.
