FROSTED PUMPKIN CRANBERRY BARS

Frosted Pumpkin Cranberry Bars image

With tangy dried cranberries tucked inside and a creamy brown butter frosting, these mildly spiced pumpkin bars are doubly delightful. It's a good thing the recipe makes lots, because once you taste one, you won't be able to resist going back for more! -Barbara Nowakowski, Mesa, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 35m

Yield about 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
3/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
BROWN BUTTER FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 to 6 tablespoons whole milk
Additional dried cranberries, optional

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin and butter; stir into dry ingredients until well combined. Stir in cranberries. , Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. , For frosting, in a large heavy saucepan, cook butter over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Pour into a large bowl; beat in the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Frost bars. If desired, sprinkle with finely chopped dried cranberries.,

Nutrition Facts : Calories 130 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 26mg cholesterol, Sodium 96mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.