Pecan Streusel Pumpkin Spice Bars

I woke up this morning with a hankerin’ for pumpkin. As snow falls softly on the Ponderosa pines on our homestead I spend a few moments looking through my cache of recipes. It didn’t take long at all, it is a great day for pumpkin bars. This particular recipe has spiced pumpkin cake, layered with sweetened cream cheese and topped with pecan-laced cinnamon streusel and it makes a delicious, homey bake. Both pleasing to the eye, and tempting to the tummy, this recipe is quick to whip up, and the bars store easily. So call your friend, and invite her over. It’s time to catch up and enjoy some Pumpkin Spice.

DIRECTIONS:

All of your cold ingredients should be set out on the counter for about an hour to aid in smooth combining.

View fullsize

On a chilly Autumn day, this recipe is a great way to warm up you home and your heart. Enjoy it with a fresh cup of coffee or a hot spot of Earl Grey tea. It chases the chills away.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare a 13 x 9 - inch cake pan by spraying it with non-stick spray.

Pumpkin Layer

4 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon baking power

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups flour

In the bowl of your stand-up mixer, beat the eggs, sugars, oil and pumpkin until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the baking powders, spices, salt and baking soda. Mix in the flour and beat on medium until batter is smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Spread this 1/2 of this mixture into the prepared pan. Then pour the Cream Cheese Layer over the first layer of pumpkin mixture. Top with the remaining pumpkin mixture.

Cream Cheese Layer

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

2 Tablespoons flour

In a stand-up mixer, combine the cream cheese and sugar and beat until fluffy. Beat in the egg and flour, and mix until smooth. Spread this mixture over the top of the pumpkin mixture in the pan.

Streusel Topping

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup melted butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup flour

Combine all the ingredients. Texture should been a little lumpy.

Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before serving to ensure a clean cut.