11.20.2011

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

MichaelLeman-5

Happy almost-Thanksgiving!

Can you believe we're already this far into November?? It feels like the school year just started yesterday! Nonetheless, I'm pretty happy about it. I especially always love Thanksgiving, as it's such a great time to be with family over a huge table of food. My kind of holiday!

Husband and I will be out with my parents starting on Tuesday, so we will be away from the internet for awhile. We're making brussels sprouts and a cheese plate; we'll try to share before the weekend's over so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out our Thanksgiving contributions from last year (here and here) or take a peek at these delicious treats below!

Hope you have a lovely holiday!

MichaelLeman

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

These bars are amazing--crazy-moist, and with cream cheese frosting. It doesn't get much better than that! Cut them into squares, hearts (like I did), or some other cute shape and serve on a great Thanksgiving plate!

Cake:
4 eggs
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 16-ounce can 100% pure pumpkin
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting (same as here):
1 3-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

MichaelLeman-3

Beat eggs and sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add oil and pumpkin and beat until combined. Sift together next five ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Beat again until combined, scraping down sides as you go. Bake in an ungreased jellyroll pan for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together and then add powdered sugar. Add vanilla last and beat until completely combined. Frost after cake has cooled.

MichaelLeman-4

*By the way, these bars can easily be made ahead. Once they are frosted, cut the bars and place inside a large tupperware one layer at a time. Freeze bottom layer first, then add a piece of wax paper and another layer of bars. Repeat freezing to ensure the frosting stays nice and pretty. I made these bars on Wednesday, froze them, and then served them on Friday and they were delicious!

treats at school

(Friday treats at school--Pumpkin Bars on the left!)