Pumpkin Squares

I don't often go to Starbucks, but last fall someone suggested I try the cranberry pumpkin bars. Yum! They haunted me - pumpkin smooth with a hint of spice, creamy sweet vanilla icing and a few chopped cranberries sprinkled on top. So I decided to try my own recipe. And I think it tastes pretty good. It's easy and makes a big panful.

Pumpkin Squares

4 large eggs
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 16-oz can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup white all-purpose flour
2 tsps baking powder
2 tsps Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 15 x 10 inch jelly roll pan. In large mixing bowl beat together eggs, sugar and oil. Gradually add the pumpkin, beating until smooth. Add the flours, baking powder, spice, and baking soda. Stir until smooth (there may be a few small lumps). Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.

When cool, cover with a layer of vanilla butter icing (soft butter, icing sugar, vanilla and some milk) then chop a few sweetened dried cranberries and sprinkle them on top. Enjoy with a cup of hot Earl Grey tea.

This is a perfect treat for a cool fall afternoon.