Ultimate Pumpkin Bars

Nothing says comfort like coming home to the smells of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin.  And nothing tastes like the Ultimate Pumpkin Bars--warm, moist, and covered in cream-cheese frosting.

No need to talk a lot about this dessert. 

However, when it comes to desserts, I am trying to post recipes that don't require special equipment.  Because, that's the problem with desserts and baking--some things you will either need to invest in purchasing or do without.  I will try to list alternative options if other pieces of equipment can substitute.  In the following recipe, a sifter and mixer would be ideal, but if not, use a whisk and upper arm strength.

(Adapted from The Breadman's Wife blog recipe)

Equipment:

9" x 13" Pyrex Dish, greased

Large Mixing Bowl (for wet ingredients)

Medium Bowl (for dry ingredients)

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 tsps baking powder

2 tsps cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp salt

1 tsp of baking soda

4 eggs

1 and 2/3 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 can (15oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

Frosting:

1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup softened butter

3 cups powdered sugar

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 Tbsp milk

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

3. Grease your pyrex dish and have butter and cream cheese already at room temperature.

4. In the medium bowl, whisk (or sift) dry ingredients together: flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, salt.

5. In the large bowl, use a fork (or a mixer) to combine eggs and sugar until smooth.

6. Add oil and pumpkin and stir until smooth, light and fluffy.

7. Add the dry ingredients in three parts to the wet ingredients and stir until smoothly.

8. Pour everything into the pyrex dish.

9. Bake at 350F degrees for 25-30 minutes until knife or toothpick comes out clean.

10. While that bakes, make the frosting:

--Once softened, combine the cream cheese and butter until smooth.

--Add the sugar and milk and beat (or with a mixer) with your upper arm and a fork until smooth and creamy.

13. Once cake is baked and cool, spread the cream-cheese frosting evenly over top.

14. Clean up short and sweet.  Enjoy your bars and eat them too.