Posted in appetizers/snacks, Baked goods, Baking, breakfast, cookies, Desserts, Food

Perfect Pumpkin Cookie Bars

Posted on by lmc

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Well, it’s been one year since I starting this blogging adventure and I am just thrilled to celebrate my first anniversary with Simply Made Kitchen and Crafts.
What I enjoy most about the WordPress experience is certainly not what I expected it would be. You see, I never realized how many wonderful people I would “meet” through the blog.
There are certain blogger posts that I so enjoy reading. Two of which are — Dani’s blog at teddyandtottie.com and Shanna’s blog, Curls and Carrots, at shannaward.com.
Shanna, mother of two adorable children, is always whipping up a batch of something wonderful (and super healthy). She is a talented writer and is incredibly supportive to fellow bloggers. I am grateful that I found her through the daily newsfeed.
I simply adore Dani’s blog (teddyandtottie.com) about family, crocheting, gardening, pets and everyday life in Australia. She, too, is a talented writer and her words seem to jump from the page to take me clear across the globe into her everyday world. Thank you both, Shanna and Dani, for your kindness and support.

And now for today’s recipe…

Last week, M asked if I had any canned goods that we might be able to donate to the food pantry. (There had been a sale on Green Giant vegetables the previous week and I purchased 12 cans for this purpose.) As I looked through the kitchen pantry for the supply of cans, I noticed that I had an abundance of pumpkin purée as well. M loves anything made with pumpkin so I searched through my folder of treasured recipes and magazine cut outs for recipes that have been given to me over the years. I quickly found the favorite that I had in mind…
When I first graduated from college, I worked in the garment/fashion industry in the city of Chicago. I was employed by a very talented clothing designer and I very much enjoyed the task of ordering fabric and notions, communicating with retail customers, following production and making sure that finished ordered were shipped to satisfied customers. We were a small staff of fifty or so and it often felt like we were a family.
One of the young pattern makers brought in a batch of these bars during the holidays some twenty or so years ago. After one bite, I asked for the recipe. She stood at her pattern-making table and wrote out (from memory) the recipe on an index card. I still have the very same recipe card, beautifully written in perfectly formed letters. Every time I make this recipe, I think of my early years, fresh out of college…boy, how time flies!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Perfect Pumpkin Cookie Bars

3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree
2 cups flour
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon salt

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese,
softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Stir into the pumpkin mixture until thoroughly combined. Spread the batter evenly into a lightly greased 10×15 inch jellyroll pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in preheated oven. Cool before frosting.
To make the frosting, cream together the cream cheese and butter. Stir in vanilla. Add confectioners’ sugar a little at a time, beating until mixture is smooth. Drizzle or frost completely spreading evenly on top of the cooled bars. Top with chopped walnuts. Cut into squares.

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27 thoughts on “Perfect Pumpkin Cookie Bars”

  4. Hi, Linda,
    What a beautiful recipe. I have bookmarked it to make. We really adore pumpkin – especially a recipe that calls for a double-sized can. The plate the bar is resting on highlights the beautiful orange color, icing and nuts.
    Your memory about working in Chicago in fashion was so fun to read about. The job sounded like great experience and filled with lovely people. It is so wonderful that you still the pattern-maker/friend’s recipe written on note card. For her to know it by heart, the cookies bars must be, indeed, perfect.
    Thank you for the kind mention and the generous words. I am touched. A very happy anniversary to Linda and Simply Made Kitchen and Crafts. May this new year bring you, your family and the blog only good things.
    Cheers to you!
    Shanna

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    1. Once again, you are so supportive, Shanna…I do so appreciate your taking time to read and comment on my blog. You are a dear friend.
      May the new year bring you and your loved ones peace, goodness, and happiness. — Linda

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      1. Oh, Linda, it is my most sincere pleasure. Your blog is a joy to read. I am sure that many readers feel the same connection to your recipes and stories – and excitement for each new post. My thanks to y-o-u for all you share and give to your blog’s followers! Have a new year filled with only good things. I look forward to many, fabulous simply make kitchen (and) crafts in 2014. Best regards, Shanna

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  5. I happen to have a big can of pumpkin in my pantry and I’m going to have to try these bars. They sound great. Happy anniversary.
    Lillian

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    1. Thank you, Lillian. I happen to have a good lot of pumpkin on my shelf as well. Hope you enjoy them…all the best to you as we enter a new year…Happy New Year. — Linda

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    1. You are very welcome and thank you for the kind words. Pumpkin is one of my favorite cool/cold weather favorites. I try to stock up in the late fall so that I have plenty throughout the winter. Happy New Year to you and yours! — Linda

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  8. Congratulations Linda on your one-year blogging anniversary!! I marvel at the gorgeous recipes you deliver every post (can’t wait to try this yummy one when we get home!) and it was really fabulous to read about your history in the garment/fashion industry. I can’t tell you how wonderful it has been to make friends with you through blogging. You have been so supportive and kind – and this post is a wonderful example of that! Thank-you sooooo much for your kind words and for the fabulous shout out here! I so look forward to your next 12 months – and to our continued, highly valued “long distance” friendship. A Happy and a Safe New Year to you and your lovely family. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

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    1. Aww, Dani… You are welcome. I must admit, I posted your web address incorrectly at first and I feel terrible about it. I have edited my error and I hope you’ll forgive me. Enjoy your holiday adventures with your lovely family…be safe –Linda

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