pumpkin bars made w/fresh pureed pumpkin

Wondering what to make with those little sweet pie pumpkins you got at the pumpkin pick? These pumpkin bars are super pumpkin tasting - not too sweet but definitely dessert.


How to make it? First you have to cook your pumpkins.

Take 2 small sweet pie pumpkins and cut them in half. Place on baking sheet and bake at 350º face down 30 minutes, turn them over, bake face up 30 minutes. The inside should be soft. Let cool and then scoop out the insides. You can take the pulp and run it through a food processor or a food mill to get it the consistency of canned pumpkin (smooth & creamy).

Now for the Pumpkin Bars!


Ingredients:

Crumb:
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 Tsp sea salt
1/2 Tsp baking soda
3/4 cup butter (softened)

You can add 1/2 cup of crushed nuts if you like too...

Filling:
2 cups pumpkin puree
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice)
1 egg


Crust:
Mix together crumb ingredients: oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, baking soda & butter. Should be crumbly. Press 1/2 of the mixture into a lightly buttered 13x9 pan. Bake at 375º for 12 minutes.

Make the filling:
Mix together filling ingredients until blended and smooth. Spread it over baked crust. Sprinkle the remaining crumb over the top. Return the pan to the oven and bake 30 more minutes.

Cool and cut into squares.

Spiced Whip Cream Topping:
We made our own whipped cream topping. It is tasty. Take 1 cup of heavy cream. Whip it in your KitchenAid -- while it is going, add 1/2 Tsp. vanilla, a dash of cinnamon and 1/2 Tsp. maple syrup (optional). Whip until it is whip cream consistency. Serve over bars. YUM.