Pumpkin Bars w/ Cream Cheese Frosting

 

Pumpkin bars 

I ADAPTED THIS RECIPE FROM A RECIPE i FOUND AT ALLRECIPES.COM.  tHE ORIGINAL RECIPE CALLED FOR TWICE THE AMOUNT  OF BAKING SODA AND POWDER AND 4 EGGS INSTEAD OF 3.  i ALSO DOUBLED THE ORIGINAL FROSTING BECAUSE FROSTING IS NOT SOMETHING I SKIMP ON!  tHIS RECIPE IS MORE DENSE BAR THAT IS EASY TO EAT AS A FINGER FOOD COMPARED TO THE MORE CAKE-LIKE ORIGINAL RECIPE.  sEE ADDITIONAL TIPS BELOW TO GET THE RESULTS OF WHAT i CONSIDER THE PERFECT PUMPKIN BAR.

 Ingredients:

3 eggs 1 2/3 cups white sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt   1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4-5 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

 Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.	In a medium bowl, mix the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir into the pumpkin mixture until thoroughly combined.
3.	Spread the batter evenly into an ungreased 10x15 inch jellyroll pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in preheated oven. Cool before frosting. *TIP-  Once taken out of the oven I used a clean kitchen towel to gently press the warm bar down into the pan making the final bar even denser.  In my opinion if it's not dense and slightly heavy it's not a bar!
4.	To make the frosting, cream together the cream cheese and butter. Stir in vanilla. Add confectioners' sugar a little at a time, beating until mixture is smooth. Spread evenly on top of the cooled bars. Cut into squares. *TIP-Once frosted I allow the bars to sit uncovered in order for the frosting to firm up a little.  If there is time I will put them in the refrigerator (either uncovered or covered loosely with plastic wrap) and let them stay overnight.  In my opinion they are easier to cut out of the refrigerator and taste the best the next day!