Halloween Pumpkin Bars

Halloween Pumpkin Bars

“My family loves the warm pumpkin fragrance that wafts through our kitchen on cool, fall afternoons when I make these bars,” writes Karla Johnson from E. Helena, Montana. Jack-o-lantern faces only add to the festive, fall flavor!
35 Servings

1-1/2 cups pumpkin pie filling
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans
1 can (16 ounces) cream cheese frosting
Yellow and red food coloring
70 pieces candy corn
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the pumpkin, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Stir in pecans.

Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Tint frosting orange with yellow and red food coloring. Frost bars; cut into 35 squares. For eyes, place two pieces of candy corn on each bar.

In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Transfer to a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of the bag. Pipe dots on candy corn for pupils; decorate faces as desired. Yield: 35 bars.

Halloween Pumpkin Bars published in Simple & Delicious September/October 2007, p14
Beth Layman :)