This is my new favorite fall treat! I had a can of pumpkin in my cabinet so I searched for recipes. I came across a Pumpkin Bar recipe from Betty Crocker. My pumpkin bars turned out more like pumpkin cake…maybe because I used butter instead of vegetable oil and left it in the microwave too long when I tried to soften it. Regardless, the cake was super moist and flavorful. I also used 1 cup of raisins instead of the ½ cup listed in the original recipe. They were a welcome addition to the pumpkin flavor and spices. I used my own recipe for the Cream Cheese Frosting instead of the one that Betty Crocker suggests.

Ingredients

• 2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 stick of butter (softened or if you want pumpkin spice cake instead of bars, melt the butter)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 cup raisins

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of 15x10x1-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, beat all bar ingredients except raisins with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl frequently.
3. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in raisins. Pour into pan.
4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
5. Follow the directions to make Cream Cheese Frosting then spread the frosting over the bars/cake.

Check out the original Pumpkin Bar recipe from Betty Crocker.