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!

Peanut Butter Smoothies

 These are bars. Very yummy, peanut buttery bars.

They are very addictive and you can have them done in less than an hour.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

Lightly grease a 9x9 square pan

Baking time is approximately 30 minutes

Ingredients:

6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter- you can use either creamy or chunky

1 cup white sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or lightly salted peanuts (picture shows them with chocolate chips)

In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

In a medium bowl cream the butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add the sugars and beat well. Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure the first one is well incorporated before adding the next one. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Stir in the flour mixture until smooth. Add chips or peanuts.

Put in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until bars start to come away from the edges of the pan.

Cool completely in the pan.

Cut in the size you want.

Happy snacking!

Rice Krispies Treats

These are the bars you will remember from your childhood.
They are super simple to make and also super yummy.

You will need a 13x9 size pan, buttered or sprayed with cooking spray.
If you want a thicker bar use a smaller pan size.

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons margarine
1-10oz. package regular size marshmallows. This is 40 marshmallows. You can also use 4 cups of miniature marshmallows.
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

In a large saucepan melt the margarine and add marshmallows and stir til completed melted.
You can also melt margarine and marshmallows in a large bowl in the microwave. Heat on high for 2 minutes. Stir and heat an additional minute. Stir til completely smooth.
To the melted marshmallows, add the cereal and stir til well coated.
Press the cereal mixture into the prepared pan with a buttered spatula or buttered hands.
When cooled to room temperature, cut into bars.
20-24 bars.

Black Bottom Banana Bars

These are so good. They are very moist. If you love bananas and chocolate, you will love these bars.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
You will need a greased 13x9 baking pan.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups mashed bananas- you will need 3 or 4 bananas
1-1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup baking cocoa

Cream the butter and sugar.
Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until smooth. Pour half of the batter into another bowl.
To the mixing bowl add the cocoa powder and mix well.
Spread the cocoa mixture into greased pan.
Carefully spread the reserved batter over the top and use a knife to swirl the batter.
Bake for 25-30 minutes til bars test done when a toothpick is inserted in the middle.
Cool before cutting.

Makes 12-16 bars.
They are very moist so don't stack together for storage, without putting a paper towel in between layers.

Cereal - Peanut Bars

These are so very yummy. I have had them with and without the chocolate chips and they are great either way.
If you love peanut butter and cereal bars, you are gonna love these.

You will need to butter a 9x9 square pan.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup light, or golden, brown sugar
dash salt
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup corn flakes, slightly crushed
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a large pan combine the corn syrup, brown sugar, and a dash salt. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the peanut butter. When it is blended in stir in the vanilla and both cereals. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Press the whole thing into the buttered pan.
Chill for 1 hour and cut into bars.
Store in the fridge.

Serves about 16.