Colonial Pumpkin Bars

Ingredients

• 0.75 cups butter
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs , beaten
• 1 can pumpkin puree , 15 ounce
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 package cream cheese , 3 ounce
• 0.33 cups butter , softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter and flour a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, cream together 3/4 cup butter and white sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the pumpkin. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; stir into the pumpkin mixture. Mix in walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

3. 3

   Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

4. 4

   In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, 1/3 cup butter, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually blend in sugar, then beat until smooth. Spread over cooled pumpkin bars. Cut into squares.