Thanksgiving Break Specials: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

This delicious recipe comes from our 12-year-old homeschooled contributor, Angelica.

Pecan pie is king at our home on Thanksgiving. My dad, momo (grandmother), aunts’, uncle and mom are obsessed with pecan pie. We make a few, buy a few, and the family is sure to show up at our door with a few. My mom’s in charge of Thanksgiving, she works her magic on the food and I’m given reins on the sweets.

Easy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting 

So this year we’re mixing it up a bit, cause I’m in charge and this girl wants pumpkin bars. Pumpkin bars piled high with cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of nutmeg. These bars are easy to make, can feed a crowd, and fit nicely snuggled between all those pecan pies!

Ingredients

Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
1 cup vegetable oil
1-2/3 cups Sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Directions

For the Bars

• In a bowl, beat the eggs, pumpkin, oil, and sugar until well blended.
• Combine the flour, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well.
• Pour into an ungreased 15 x 10in baking pan.
• Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes.
• Cool.

For the Frosting

• Beat the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, butter and vanilla in a small bowl.
• Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
• Frost bars.

Makes 2 dozen.

Other Recipes by Angelica

• Mango Jicama Salad
  
  
• Strawberry Avocado Freeze
  
  
• Strawberry Chocolate Smoothie
  
  
• Quinoa Cookies
  
  
• Mexican Hot Chocolate
  
  
• Spicy Chocolate Bark

Other Thanksgiving Recipes You May Enjoy

• Butternut Squash...Tamales?
  
  
• Pumpkin Empanadas!!
  
  
• Camotes al chipotle
  
  
• Roast Turkey with Port Wine Guava Glaze

-----------------------------------------------



Angelica ~ A 12yr old homeschooler with dreams of becoming a pastry chef.

Addicted to comics, food network, and carnival rides, Angelica loves taking over her mom's kitchen. She is currently working on perfecting her piecrust while her family reaps the benefits. You can find her sharing her baking skills over at Sweet Life.