The Perfect Pumpkin Bar

November 2, 2015 Leave a Comment

This is the perfect pumpkin bar.

The recipe is simple and the results are great every time. With all of the winter squash around here, we use homemade pumpkin puree – but of course you can use a 15-oz can of pumpkin puree instead.

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

These bars are very simple and simply delicious.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

For the Bars

4 eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup oil (try coconut oil for a wonderful treat)
2 cups pumpkin puree ( or 1-15 ounce can of pumpkin puree)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese softened
1/2 cup butter softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups confectioners' sugar
pinch kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Spray a large jelly roll pan with cooking spray.
Combine the flour, baking powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Stir to mix well. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer until foamy.
Add the granulated sugar, oil, and pumpkin, beating on medium speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes.
Add the flour mixture to egg mixture , beating on low speed until just combined, - about 1 minute.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
Cool completely before frosting with cream cheese frosting.

For the Frosting

Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together in a bowl until light and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until combineid and fluffy.
Spread frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin cake.

Notes

If not being eaten right away, these bars are best kept in the refrigerator.

Enjoy,

Kathy

Spring. Just the word congers up images of blossoms and bunnies, eggs and chicks. . . . and catalogs filled with tableware, linens and all the fresh spring color imaginable. . . . so when my spring edition of the Pier1 catalog arrived – I was immediately drawn to devour every page. The dinnerware, table settings, linens were, in typical Pier1 form, a wonderful feast for the eyes.

But, there was one thing that especially drew my attention. . .their adorable folded napkins – especially the little bunnies in the upper right corner of the page. The catalog directed readers to log on to their website for instructions – which I immediately did.

Upon arriving at the page, I searched for the Bunny Fold and found this. I grabbed some cloth napkins (which happened to be from Pier1) and, following their directions, began folding. It only took me to the 4th step to figure out that there was a real problem with the directions – they were rolling from the wrong side of the napkin. . . and by the final step – it was unmistakable.

I had created this. I took an unfolded napkin and the directions to my husband – who, as a builder, reads instructions for a living . . . and his response was immediate – these are not right. They have rolled from the long side and not the point – and used directions for a granny knot. It needs to be an ‘overhand’ knot. (50 plus years of scouting – he should know his knots!)

After making a few simple changes – rolling from the point and using an overhand knot – the finished product looked like the one in the Pier1 picture. Success!

And so, as much as I LOVE Pier1, no one is infallible. I have done my own set of instructions, including pictorials, for your use should you be wanting to try these little treasures. Such a simple way to dress up a spring or Easter table.

Just Click Here to go to the instructions. Happy Spring!

Enjoy,

Kathy

The Perfect Pumpkin Bar