Orange Candy Corn Bars

senseicheryl's Note:

I found this recipe inside the Pillsbury Fall Baking magazine that I found in the checkout line of the grocery store. I wish I could show you the picture from the book!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 2 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 47 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 32

Yield: 32.0 bars

FOR THE BARS

• ¾ cup butter , melted, cooled slightly (or margarine)
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange peel , grated
• 4 eggs
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 drops yellow food coloring
• 3 drops red food coloring

FOR THE FROSTING

• ½ cup butter , softened (DO NOT USE margarine!)
• 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk (up to 2 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄8; teaspoon salt

FOR THE DECORATION

• 1⁄3; cup candy corn (32 candies)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil 2 inches on 2 opposite sides of pan; spray foil with cooking spray.
2. In medium bowl, beat melted 3/4 cup butter, sugar & orange peel with wooden spoon until blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in flour and baking powder just until mixed. Stir in yellow food color until well mixed. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the yellow batter in the pan. Place pan in freezer about 15 minutes or until batter is slightly firm to the touch.
3. Meanwhile, add red food color to the remaining cake batter in the bowl until well mixed. Spread over chilled yellow batter.
4. Bake 47 to 53 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.
5. In meduim bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in powdered sugar until well blended. Beat in milk, vanilla and salt until smooth and spreadable. Spread frosting over bars. To serve, remove bars from pan, using foil to lift. Remove foil. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows; cut each square diagonally in half. Top each triangle with 1 candy corn.
6. TIP: Save a little prep time by using nonstick foil in place of the regular foil sprayed with cooking spray.
7. ANOTHER TIP: If you want really bright colors, use paste food colors instead of liquid food colors. Just decrease the amount to about half of the liquid food color specified.