Iowa recipes: Pumpkin bars

Pumpkin recipes are very trendy in the food blog world right now.  Over the past few weeks, I've seen recipes for pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cakes, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin granola, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pastas -- and the list goes on and on.

I've actually tried a few of these recipes.  But nothing really compares to good, old-fashioned pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting.  These pumpkin bars are always a hit whenever I bring them to potlucks or family gatherings.  My husband has also requested pumpkin bars many times for his October birthdays.

 

Mmm ... Cream cheese frosting

Make these pumpkin bars, and be prepared for the compliments!  Enjoy!

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Pumpkin bars

From 2004 Iowa State Fair Cookbook

• 2 C. all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 C. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 4 eggs, slightly beaten
• 2 C. pumpkin
• 1 C. vegetable oil
• 3/4 C. finely chopped walnuts

Sift dry ingredients into mixing bowl. Mix eggs, pumpkin and oil.  Add to dry ingredients. Mix and stir in nuts.  Pour into greased and floured pan.  Bake at 375 degree for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool; frost bars.

Frosting:

• 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 6 Tbls. butter or margarine
• 1 Tbl. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1-3/4 C. powdered sugar

Combine all ingredients; beat until smooth. Spread over bars.