Classic Pumpkin Bars

There are scads of pumpkin recipes floating around these days and I've tried a couple that were good but my all time favorite pumpkin recipe is still a classic Pumpkin Bar with Cream Cheese Frosting. I like them more than a cake because the frosting/cake ratio is closer to being balanced. Haha! If you don't care for cream cheese frosting, #1 What is WRONG with you? and #2 You can cut back on the recipe. Please note that then the dark bar batter will then show through and that's just wrong!

                                      Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
4 eggs
1 2/3 c. sugar
1 c. veg. oil
15 oz. canned pumpkin

2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. salt
1/4 t. nutmeg
1 t. baking soda
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 15 by 12" jelly roll pan with cooking spray. In mixer, combine eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until well combined. Scrape occasionally. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and nutmeg. Hand mix dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture just until wet. Spread into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minute. Cool on wire rack until completely cooled.

Frosting
8-oz. cream cheese
1/2 c. butter
2 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
In mixer, combine cream cheese and butter until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix on low. Then add vanilla. Frost cooled bars.

I took a batch to our college boy over the weekend and will take another to a Family Promise dinner today. If you aren't familiar with Family Promise you really should check it out. It's a wonderful program and is making a difference in our community. I hope you are having a great fall!             
Blessings to you,

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