Gifting Day 11: Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin is always a favorite flavor of the season, and the recipient of these bars will feel blessed indeed! 

Consider gifting with the verse "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6 (KJV)

2 cups all-purpose flour 
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
(15 oz.) can, pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting:
1 stick of room temperature butter
8 oz. package of cream cheese, room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar 
1/2 tsp. cinnamon 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a large sheet pan (15x10x1) with parchment paper or use a non-stick baking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. 

In a separate bowl, combine pumpkin, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla. Whisk together until smooth. 

Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Spread the thick batter evenly into the sheet pan. Bake for 26-28 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before applying frosting. 

Frosting: Cream together the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time until well incorporated. Then mix in cinnamon. The frosting should be thick but spreadable.

Apply the frosting to the cool cake. Slice into bars and package in air tight containers, and keep refrigerated.