Pumpkin Bars

I had one little 'ol package of frozen pumpkin that I baked and pureed last fall. I was a little intimidated as I have never processed pumpkin before, but it was very easy. Since it was my first time, I only made a couple pie pumpkins in case I messed it up. This fall I will definitely be doing many more.


I followed a recipe out of my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. They smelled awesome while baking. I know that cream cheese is the best frosting to use but we have limited fridge space at work so trying to put my jelly roll pan may be disastrous as people have set their lunch boxes on other pans of treats.


Pumpkin Bars (from BH&G)

2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp salt *I forgot since it isn't the ingredient section-in the written text. Oh Oh
4 beaten eggs
1 16 oz can pumpkin *not pie mix kind* and I used my frozen pumpkin
1-1/2 cup sugar
1 cup cooking oil *I used canola


Stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, soda and salt. Combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar and oil; beat until combined. Slowly stir dry ingredients; beat until well combined. Spread in an ungreased 15x10x1 jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.


I am going to sprinkle mine with powdered sugar once they have cooled. I'd post a picture but will do it right before we leave for work.

It is really warm here today-over 80. We are suppose to get rain the next few days which we really need. I'm excited to start working in the garden. I think that since I have the new smaller area to tend to, I know it won't be as overwhelming as the last 4 years when I was doing 15 x25. Too many weeds and hard packed dirt. I have started some things in the house to transplant once it is warm enough, and other things will be planted directly in the ground.

On my list:

Tomatoes
Peppers - green and jalapeno
Onions
Zucchini
Peas
Green beans
Lettuce - 2 kinds
Herbs -cilantro, parsley, coriander and chives
Radishes

The hubs is going to try his hand at sweet corn again. We tried twice with the whole "you need X amount of rows to cross pollinate" stuff and it never worked. He is going to be in charge this time! I also am planting some sunflowers for the birds. I will share photos as the garden grows and include the recipes I use with the fresh produce.

Have a great day everyone!!

Update: the bars went over well at work tonight. I did dust them with the powdered sugar, but they were still warm so it turned into a wet, glazy type topping. They gobbled them all up. I'm thinking maybe some nuts next time and a frosting for sure, but will need to experiment with one that doesn't need refrigeration.