Super Star Pumpkin Bars
Sweet and spicy bars for your lil' Super Star.
Prep Time: 0:25
Total Time: 1:30
Servings: 24
Ingredients:
For bars:
2 cups all-purpose flour (can substitute Spelt flour)
1 cup sugar (can substitute Sucanat)
1 tablespoon cinnamon (ground)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
1/2 teaspoon cloves (ground)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 ounces pumpkin, canned
4 large Organic Valley Grade A Omega-3 Brown Egg
3/4 cup applesauce
1 cup raisins
For frosting:
6 ounces Organic Valley Neufchatel Cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar (organic)
1/3 cup Organic Valley Salted Butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch baking sheet.
For bars:
Stir first 8 ingredients/dry ingredients in large bowl to blend. Add vanilla extract, pumpkin, eggs and applesauce. Beat until well blended. Mix in raisins.
Add chopped nuts and/or crystallized ginger if you desire!
Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake 20- 25 minutes, or until tester inserted into the center, comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a rack.
For frosting:
These bars are so yummy, you really don't need frosting to enhance flavors. But if you insist....beat Organic Valley Neufchatel Cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and Organic Valley Salted Butter in medium bowl to blend. Spread frosting over cake in a thin layer. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated.)
Serving Suggestions:
Like a Super Star...enjoy with a tall glass of Organic Valley Milk!
Note:
Kids in the Kitchen:
This is a great "one bowl" recipe to keep the kids busy!
The mini-chefs (ages 3-5) can help stir the dry ingredients while an older child can practice cracking eggs and measuring spices.
This recipe is adaptable to whatever dried fruits and nuts you may have in the pantry! Try adding 1/3 cup chopped crystallized ginger to the mix for a warming tummy tonic treat. Slivered almonds, chopped walnuts and even sunflower seeds can add some crunch to your post-lunch treat!
If frosting is not your cup of tea, try the Super Star Pumpkin Bar with home-made Organic Valley Whipped Cream!
Nutrition Info:
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 146 Calories; 2g Fat (14.8% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 29g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 43mg Cholesterol; 196mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Vegetable; 1/2 Fruit; 0 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.
Average Customer Rating: 
Rate This Recipe
Rate this recipe or tell us about your own special twist that made it even better!
Customer Comments:
Customer rating:
You can substitute bananas for the pumpkin, and also add chocolate chips for the choco-holic in your life!
Customer rating:
This is a delightful treat. I love the texture and all the thing that I could do to make it a little different. Thank you, for a new favorite. Pam Moore, Oregon
Customer rating:
Customer rating:
I omitted raisins and added walnuts.