Harvest Pumpkin Bars

These pumpkin bars are big on pumpkin flavor and are

made extremely tasty with a cream cheese frosting.

For an extra touch you can sprinkle the frosting with crystalized ginger or chopped pecans.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F

Lightly grease a 9x9 inch or 11x7 inch baking pan

Ingredients:

Bars

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 cup white sugar

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Put everything in a bowl except for the flour. Cream it together well. Add the flour and stir just until smooth.

Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and the bars test done with a toothpick inserted into the middle of the bars.

Let cool completely and than frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 oz cream cheese ( 1/2 of a large brick), softened

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1-3/4 powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-4 Tablespoon finely diced crystallized ginger( optional)

2-4 Tablespoons chopped pecans( optional)

In a medium bowl cream together the butter and cream cheese. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.

Spread over the cooled bars and sprinkle with the ginger and pecans if desired.

Cut into bars and enjoy!