Savor The Taste Of Autumn With This Creamy Pumpkin Bar Recipe

There’s something about fall that makes me want to slow down and savor the simple things. The air feels crisp, the leaves are swirling across the yard, and it's time to dig out our favorite sweaters.

This past weekend, I decided it was finally time to pull out the pumpkin pie puree I've been putting in the freezer to celebrate the season of pumpkin flavor.

CREAMY PUMPKIN PUREE

Earlier in October, I spent most of my evenings scooping out the soft orange flesh, baking the pumpkins, and making the creamy pumpkin puree. There’s something deeply satisfying about using pumpkins grown by my Dad and turning them into something homemade. It’s not just baking; it’s a little piece of family, love, and fall all mixed.

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THANK YOU KIM

A friend of mine sent me a message recently that said, 'I heard you talking about your pumpkin pies on the radio! Well, here is a recipe for bars. They wait for me at work to make them using real pumpkin. Everybody loves them. I cut the sugar down and they turn out great!'

So thanks to my friend Kim for sending this recipe. I made it this weekend and it turned out perfect! These bars are soft, moist, and full of those cozy fall spices that make your whole house smell like a dream. The frosting is sweet, smooth, and just the right amount of creamy to balance the spice. When I took my first bite, I actually said “oh wow” out loud.

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BRINGING FALL FLAVORS

Maybe it’s the pumpkins from my dad’s garden, or the friend who shared the recipe, or the fact that I made it on one of those perfect fall weekends when the wind was howling and the leaves were flying everywhere. Whatever it was, these pumpkin bars brought all the warmth and joy of the season right into my kitchen.

So if you’ve got some pumpkin puree sitting in your fridge or even a can or two in the pantry, maybe this is your sign to make these. Pour a cup of coffee, throw on your favorite sweater, and let the smell of fall fill your home.

Here’s the recipe my friend sent me.

PUMPKIN BARS

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 16 ounces pumpkin puree
• 2 cups Gold Medal All Purpose Flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  2 cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 350. Grease a jelly roll pan. Beat together eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin. Stir in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cloves.
Pour the batter into the pan. Bake until light brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Once the bars are cooled, frost. Mix the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla, then slowly add the powdered sugar and stir until smooth and creamy. Spread over bars and enjoy!