Pumpkin Bars

It's fall!  And so begins my annual psychological turning of the seasons (the weather here won't follow suit for at least another month). Somehow it always starts with pumpkin and this year is no exception. I found this recipe from Paula Deen and it was my first step into the new season. They're called pumpkin bars, but it's really more of a pumpkin cake. They're impossibly moist (C'mon, it's Paula Deen, what did you expect?) and have a long shelf life. I've frosted them with cream cheese icing, but I can tell you on good authority that they're quite tasty without it, too. 

Have a great weekend!

Pumpkin Bars
Paula Deen

Ingredients: 

4 large eggs
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
15-ounce can pumpkin
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:

8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13-x-10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out almost clean. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.

To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars. 

Comments

[Kay]

I love your blog. I have not enjoyed reading any blog as much as yours. I was very touched by the photos last month of NOLA and anything that you mention about the French Quarter. I was a disaster inspector after Katrina. My only experience there was sad to say after the disaster. My husband and I worked 6 months after the storm. My heart still hurts from all the
pain and loss of so many lives, homes and everyday living. I had so many experiences there, good and sad.
It was an surreal experience to be in the ninth ward, alone, looking for an address to verify a home was there and once occupied. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop...sad not even a bird to be heard. No people...no cats...no dogs.
In Metarie I met many people with sad, painful stories...they needed someone to hear and know what they felt. They especially needed empathy, a hug, a kind word of encouragement.
We actually lived on Daphine Street in the French Quarter for 3 of the months we were there. I wish I would have taken the time to visit historical buildings and get a better feel for the happier days there. The people who came back to the French Quarter in the beginning were so positive and so happy to pick up there lives and go forward...inspite of their losses and the hardships...I loved it there.
I guess that is why I really enjoy your blog, I know people have a future there and are healing. I hope there is more to come!
Thank you for sharing so much! Art, cooking, photography and your life!

[Lisa]

Thanks so much for commenting on my "31". I came to visit your blog from the comment and so glad I did! I am going to have to make these (and add your blog to my reader)

Lisa :)

[Wendy]

I'm going to have to make these ASAP! My niece is a pumpkin *anything* fanatic. I guess I'll surprise her when she comes for her next visit. Thanks for sharing! :)

[teresa granath]

YUM! I'm passing this along to my daughter, she will LOVE them! It's so nice when they are old enough to use the kitchen on their own!