Hello Little Punkin'

Pumpkin Bars
from Better Homes & Gardens Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 16 ounce can pumpkin
1 c. cooking oil
4 beaten eggs
1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and cloves. Stir in the pumpkin, cooking oil, and eggs till thoroughly combined. If desired, stir in the walnuts.
2. Spread batter into an ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
3. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
4. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting or sift powdered sugar over top. Cut into bars. Store covered in refrigerator. Makes 48.

Cream Cheese Frosting: In medium mixing bowl, beat one three ounce package of cream cheese, 1/4 c. butter or margarine and 1 teaspoon vanilla with electric mixer on medium to high speed till light and fluffy. Gradually add one cup powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in about 1 1/4 c. additional sifted powdered sugar to make spreading consistency.

The story behind this recipe: I'm a sucker for baked goods using pumpkin (fall is my favorite time of year). I first made these bars for a cake walk at my son's preschool. They turned out so yummy, I didn't want to give them up for the game. When we brought the plate of bars into gym for the cake walk, I was surprised by how many other baked goods there were. We ended up leaving and didn't do the game, so I don't even know if the bars ended up in a good home or not. ~Karen