Pumpkin Bars with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

These pumpkin bars are deliciously light and full of pumpkin flavor. Paired with maple cream cheese frosting they are literally irresistible. Cozy up to a fire in the afternoon with a cup of tea and enjoy these bars!

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Yield: 24 large bars or 48 small bars

INGREDIENTS

PUMPKIN BARS:

• 2 cups flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 4 eggs

• 1 2/3 cup sugar

• 1 cup vegetable oil

• 1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin (not pie filling!)

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

• 12 Tablespoons butter, softened at room temperature

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 Tablespoons cream, half-and-half, or milk

• 6 cups unsifted powdered sugar

• 3 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup

DIRECTIONS

PUMPKIN BARS:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Add mixed dried ingredients into pumpkin mixture, beating until fully combined.

3. Spread batter in an ungreased 17×12 inch jelly roll pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes (adjust if your pan is a different size!), until the edges begin to brown slightly and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting. (make sure that your mixture is evenly spread throughout the pan for even baking results)

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

1. Combine cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and cream in a mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (do not overbeat or it will be too soft to spread) and then add the maple syrup. Taste and adjust accordingly (we liked our frosting to have just a hint of the maple syrup) Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing between each addition, until all cups are added and frosting is smooth Spread evenly on cooled pumpkin bars.