Brown Sugar And Spice Pumpkin Bars
serves 15
These bars are uber-simple to throw together, and turn out moist and tender -- not to mention, they make the house smell like pumpkin pie. Add some raisins or dried cranberries, if you like.
Read more about this recipe at Karina's Kitchen.
For the pumpkin bars:
2 large free-range organic eggs
1/3 cup extra light olive oil or vegetable oil
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups Pamela's Ultimate Baking Mix (or a dairy-free, gluten-free flour mix with 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon xanthan or guar gum added)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice (or a blend of ground nutmeg, cloves, allspice and ginger)
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
Frosting:
4 tablespoons butter (or buttery non-dairy spread such as Smart Balance)
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider or orange juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups powdered sugar, as needed
prep: 20 minutes
total: 45 minutes
9x13-inch baking pan
2 large mixing bowls
hand mixer
wooden pick
wire rack
small saucepan
1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan (or line with greased parchment or aluminum foil).
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until blended; add the oil and beat to combine. Add the brown sugar and beat until smooth. Add the pumpkin, beat until smooth; add the vanilla, beat to combine. Add the baking mix and spices and beat just until the batter is smooth. Add in the nuts and stir by hand to combine.
4. Dump the batter into the baking pan and spread evenly. Bake in the center of a preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes, until the bars are firm, and a wooden pick inserted into the center emerges clean.
5. While the bars bake, prepare the frosting: Spoon the butter, brown sugar and cider into a small saucepan; heat through on medium heat, stirring constantly. When the mixture is smooth and hot, and begins to bubble, remove the pan from heat and allow it to cool a bit. Pour the brown sugar mixture into a mixing bowl. Add the vanilla and spices, and beat. Begin adding the powdered sugar a little at a time and beat until smooth; add more sugar as needed to thicken the frosting.
5. Once bars are done, cool on a wire rack. Once cool, spread with frosting.
