Easy Pumpkin Bars

These pumpkin bars are quick and easy and the best I have ever taken. I don't know about you, but I think that cream cheese frosting (the traditional frosting on pumpkin bars) can sometimes be a little too overpowering of a flavor. Instead, these bars call for Brown Butter frosting which really compliments the pumpkin flavor instead of taking it over.

Pumpkin Bars:

1/2 Cup butter, soft (1 stick)
1 Cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2/3 Cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. PURE VANILLA EXTRACT
1 Cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. CINNAMON
1/4 tsp. POWDERED GINGER
1/4 tsp. GROUND NUTMEG

Preheat oven to 350°. Cream the butter. Add the brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin, and VANILLA and mix well. In a separate bowl, sift all of the dry ingredients together. Gradually add to the wet mixture and mix well. Pour into a greased 9x13 inch pan and bake at 350° for about 15-20 minutes. Let cool and top with Brown Butter Frosting.


Brown Butter Frosting:

1/2 Cup butter (1 stick)
3 Cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. PURE VANILLA EXTRACT
2 TB milk


In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the butter over low heat until it is a light brown. Remove from heat and add the powdered sugar, VANILLA, and milk. Whisk until smooth and well blended.


To spruce these up for a party, try topping each square with a couple candy corn or a creme pumpkin.