Fall = pumpkin bars

I really enjoy this fall season.  I love scarves and sweaters, pumpkin and spice, hot apple cider and  warm blankets.  I haven't finished fall decorating, but I did get a couple of small pumpkins to display on our table and bring some immediate fall cheer into the house. 

Then Matthew climbed on the chair, stood up, said "Ball!", and the pumpkins went flying.  Thankfully, one survived.  The other did not! There was a perfect crack right down the middle.

*Sigh* What to do, but turn the cracked pumpkin into something delicious?   So, I baked the pumpkin, cooled it and then made pumpkin bars.  This recipe is from my sister, Kathie, and they are SO very good :)

                                        Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs

1 1/3 c. sugar

1 c. oil

16 oz. pumpkin  (2 cups mashed, baked or 1 can)

2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

      In mixer bowl, beat together eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy.  Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda.  Add to pumpkin mixture and mix thoroughly.  Spread batter into ungreased 15x10x1 baking pan.  Bake at 350 ^degrees  for 25-30 min.  Cool.  Frost with Cream Cheese Icing.

Cream Cheese Icing

1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

½ c. butter or margarine

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. powdered sugar, sifted

Happy Fall!!