Pumpkin Bars

Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 – 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup oil
One 15 ounce can pumpkin pie mix (I use half a big can)
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing Ingredients: (I usually just get premade icing)
One 3 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened (I used and recommend butter)
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees
*Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin until light and fluffy. *Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
*Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly comined and the batter is smooth.
*Spread the batter in an ungreased nonstick 13 by 10 inch baking pan.
*Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.

Directions for icing:
*Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
*Add the sugar and mix at low speed until smooth.
*Stir in the vanilla and mix again.
*Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.

Servings: Makes 48 small bars or 24 larger ones

Submitted by: Missy Crabb