I Love to Bake...especially seasonal creations...

Our ages make eating choices more limited these days, and I don't often have the excuse to indulge my love of baking. I made these Pumpkin Bars today for our Bible Study tonight...and will let others enjoy the fruits of my labors. Our daughter JoAnn has a birthday coming on Thursday, the day before Halloween, and she has always loved anything pumpkin. When she was little I always made a pumpkin shaped cake with orange frosting, but as she grew up she preferred these bars, and always asks for them. She and I are going to bake another pan of them on her birthday, to take with us to visit her eldest sister Joy in Washington this week-end. JoAnn and Joy rarely get the opportunity to share their birthdays together (Oct. 30 and Nov. 4) but this year we will spend the week-end celebrating. These are a tried and true recipe treat...so I will share the recipe here for any who would like to try it.
Pumpkin Bars


4 eggs
2 C. natural cane sugar
2 C. pureed pumpkin
2 C. flour (I use 1 C. whole wheat pastry flour and 1 C. white flour)
1/2 C. Oil
1/2 C. Applesauce (homemade is best : )
1 t. vanilla
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. salt

Mix all these ingredients together and spread out in a big baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. When cool, spread with the following frosting..

3 oz. cream cheese softened
1 stick of butter (1/2 C.) softened
1 t. vanilla
1 box powdered sugar
Mix together to spreading consistency and frost.

This recipe makes a lot of bars, so it's great for a family or for autumn entertaining. Enjoy!