Homemade Pumpkin Bars With Various Additives

This one comes from Ma--many years ago. Over the years I've gotten into the habit of adding different extra ingredients. I make my own biscuit mix (Make-a-Mix), however, the original recipe called for Bisquick, so use that for a substitute--or try my Quick Mix recipe, too. I also can my own pumpkin--if you don't, just use a 15 or 16-oz can of store-bought. Such a frugal little home-maker!!!

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 36
• Yields: 1 15x10 pan

Ingredients

• Basic Bars

• 2  cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup  oil
• 2  cups  cooked pumpkin
• 4  eggs
• 2  cups biscuit mix
• 2  teaspoons cinnamon

• Additives (choose one or two)

• 1⁄2 cup raisins
• 1⁄2 cup cranberries
• 1⁄2 cup  nuts, coarsely chopped
• 1⁄2 cup chocolate chips

• Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4  ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄4 cup butter, softened
• 1  tablespoon milk
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2  cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F; grease a jelly roll pan (10x15); set aside.
2. Mix sugar, oil and pumpkin; add eggs--beating well after each.
3. Stir in biscuit mix and cinnamon; add one or two of the additives.
4. Pour mixture into prepared pan; bake for 25-30 minutes; cool.
5. While that is cooling, prepare frosting: Beat all ingredients together until very creamy.
6. Spread frosting over cooled bars, cut into bars (4x9 fussy cuts).