Raisin Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups canned pumpkin
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup chocolate-covered raisins for baking
• FROSTING:
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• Decorator sprinkles, optional

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices; gradually add to the pumpkin mixture. Stir in walnuts and chocolate-covered raisins.
• Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
• For frosting, in a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and confectioners' sugar. Add milk and orange extract; beat until smooth. Frost bars. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 4 dozen.

Raisin Pumpkin Bars published in Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2004, p141