Pumpkin Bars

Submitted by Karamia

"A perfect dessert for autumn! These bars are light like cake and very moist. They have a thin layer of yummy orange cream cheese frosting on top of them and they are not too fattening. They are very thin bars if you use a 17x11 pan, so if you prefer a thicker bar, use a 9x11 pan. Recipe is from Gooseberry Patch's Holidays at Home cookbook."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 24

ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 2⁄3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 egg whites, slightly beaten
• 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
• 1⁄4 cup water

• Frosting

• 1⁄4 cup light cream cheese
• 1 3⁄4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄4 teaspoon grated orange peel (or lemon)

directions

1. Spray 17"x11-1/2" baking pan with nonstick spray (use 9"x11" for thicker bars if preferred).
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and cloves in medium bowl.
4. Stir in pumpkin, egg whites, oil and water until combined.
5. Spread batter into pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until test done with toothpick.
6. Cool completely before frosting.
7. For frosting, beat together cream cheese, one cup powdered sugar, vanilla and grated lemon or orange peel until fluffy.
8. Gradually beat in remaining powdered sugar.
9. Frost bars and enjoy!
10. Keep covered and stored in refrigerator.