Harvest Pumpkin Bars

Harvest Pumpkin Bars(Adapted from KA Cookie Companion)

For the bars
1/3 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

For the frosting

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla
Finely diced crystallized ginger

Preheat oven to 350

Lightly coat a 9X9 or 7 X 11 baking pan with cooking spray

In a medium bowl, cream together the oil, eggs, sugar, pumpkin, spices, salt, and baking powder. Slowly add the flour, stirring with a wooden spoon just until smooth. Spread the mixture into the prepared dish.

Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick placed in the center comes out cleam. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool completely.

Combine the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a medium sized bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. Add the sifted powdered sugar and mix on medium until smooth. If the mixture is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add milk by teaspoons until the frosting is spreadable. Frost the bars and sprinkle with the diced ginger.

16 bars