Nutty Pumpkin Bars

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Servings: 24
Yield: 24 servings

Description

Nutty pumpkin bars have an extra crunch from pecans and are topped with a fresh orange frosting for a tasty treat during the fall season.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
2/3 cup solid-pack pumpkin puree
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2 Beat flour, brown sugar, pumpkin, 1/2 cup butter, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla extract, baking soda, nutmeg, ginger, and baking powder together in a large bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed until batter is evenly combined, about 2 minutes. Fold pecans into batter and spread into the prepared baking pan.
3 Bake in the preheated oven until edges are lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
4 Beat 2 tablespoons butter and confectioners' sugar together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth; beat in orange juice and orange zest until frosting is light and spreadable. Spread frosting onto cooled bars.