CREAM CHEESE PUMPKIN BARS

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bars image

I made these for a church function once and they turned out to be a big hit. There was barely a crumb left on the platter after everyone dug in. I love this dessert because it tastes light, smooth, and nutty. -Kim Chambers, Laurelton, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened, cubed
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs, lightly beaten

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix flour, 1/4 cup sugar and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in oats and pecans. Reserve 1 cup for topping. , Press remaining crumb mixture onto bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake 15 minutes., In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, spices and remaining sugar until smooth. Beat in pumpkin and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour over warm crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture., Bake 20-25 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and filling is set. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Serve within 2 hours or refrigerate, covered.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 196 calories, Fat 12g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 52mg cholesterol, Sodium 80mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.