Festive Fall Recipe

If anyone is looking for a pumpkin treat to make, these Pumpkin Pie Bars are delicious. I had them at a party a few weeks ago, tracked down the recipe, and made them myself last week.

Pumpkin Pie Bars

1 1/3 c flour
1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 c granulated sugar, divided
3/4 c (1 1/2 sticks) cold butter
1 c oats, uncooked
1/2 c chopped pecans
8 oz (1 pkg) cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 375. Line 13x9 pan with greased foil. Mix flour, brown sugar, and 1/4 c granulated sugar in bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in oats and pecans. Reserve 1 c mixture for topping. Press remaining amount in bottom of pan. Bake 15 min.

Beat cream cheese, remaining 1/2 c sugar, eggs, pumpkin, and spice in a small bowl w/electric mixer. Pour over crust; sprinkle w/reserved crumb mixture. Bake 25 min.

Lift from pan using foil handles; cool completely (or chill). Cut into 24 bars.


Note: You can substitute 1/2 c whole-wheat flour for 1/2 c white; I used reduced-fat cream cheese.