PETER PETER PUMPKIN BARS

Peter Peter Pumpkin Bars image

Sweet tooths will polish off these wonderful bars. They have a delicious orange frosting and can be decorated with candy pumpkins.-Barb Schlafer, Appleton, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 40m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
ORANGE FROSTING:
3 tablespoons shortening
2-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
Candy pumpkins or orange and green frosting, optional

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in pumpkin and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, ginger and nutmeg; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in nuts., Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., In a large bowl, beat the shortening, confectioners' sugar, orange juice and zest until blended. Frost bars; cut into squares. If desired, top with candy pumpkins or decorate with colored frosting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 174 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 18mg cholesterol, Sodium 44mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (20g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.