PUMPKIN BARS WITH BROWNED BUTTER FROSTING

Pumpkin Bars with Browned Butter Frosting image

It wouldn't be fall without pumpkin bars, and I think everyone has a favorite version. I based this recipe on one of my grandmother's, so sweet memories are baked into every batch. -Mary Wilhelm, Sparta, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup canola oil
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
FROSTING:
2/3 cup butter, cubed
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 to 6 tablespoons 2% milk

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. In a large bowl, beat the first 6 ingredients until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, pie spice, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture., Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack., In a small heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Heat 5-7 minutes or until golden brown, stirring constantly. Transfer to a large bowl. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Spread over bars; let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 265 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 29mg cholesterol, Sodium 166mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (33g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.