Pumpkin Spice Bars Recipe

These are great tasting bars that really fit the bill during the Halloween and Thanksgiving holday periods.

• Meal Type: Dessert
• Ethnicity: American
• Holiday Category: N/A
• Preparation Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Ingredients

• 2 C graham cracker or gingersnap crumbs
• 1 t salt
• 7 T butter, melted
• 4 eggs
• 1 2/3 C plus 1/4 C sugar, divided
• 1 can (15-ounces) pumpkin puree
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 can (16-ounces) cream cheese frosting
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• Halloween shaped sprinkles
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 15 x 11 inch pan with foil; set aside. In a small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, butter and 1/4 cup sugar until well combined. Spread mixture into prepared pan. Using a measuring cup with a flat bottom, smooth mixture to form an even crust.
2. Bake crust until fragrant, about 6 minutes; let cool completely.
3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, remaining sugar, pumpkin puree and oil; stir in flour mixture.
4. Using a rubber spatula, spread the pumpkin mixture evenly over the cooled crust in pan. Bake until filling pulls away from pan, 25-30 minutes; let cool completely in pan.
5. Frost the top of the cooled bars with cream cheese frosting. Gently drag the tines of a fork through the frosting to create a wave pattern. Sprinkle with Halloween shaped sprinkles. Cut into 24 bars and serve. Makes about 2 dozen.