Nov 07 2009
Pumpkin Pie Bars
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I thought that I would share a few recipes. Every family has there “traditional” family dishes. In my family, each member had their “speciality” that they brought to share. I remember the day of Thanksgiving helping my mother prepare her oven-cooked, baked beans, green bean casserole, and the occasional batch of deviled eggs. Now a days, my family no longer gathers for large dinners. So it is simply my little family and occasionally celebrating with my in-laws.
Pumpkin pie is a staple of Thanksgiving. If there is no pumpkin pie, then it isn’t truly Thanksgiving in my book. The only part of the pie that I have never been fond of is the crust. Either the crust taste funny, is slightly burned along the edge, or just too tough. So, I started making Pumpkin Pie Bars several years back. They quickly have become a favorite with adults and kids alike. So without further ado, here is the recipe:
Pumpkin Pie Bars
Preparation is done in three steps: Base, Filling, and Topping.
First preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Base:
- 1 box yellow Jiffy Cake Mix (any will work really, but Jiffy is reasonably priced)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 Cup butter, melted and cooled (1 stick)
In large bowl, combine the cake mix, egg and cooled butter. Press the dough into the bottom of a 13×9 cake pan.
Filling:
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 thirty-oz can of pumpkin (or 2 small cans, just as long as you have 30 oz.)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (you can also use plain cinnamon if you are out of pumpkin pie spice.)
Mix the ingredients and gently pour over the base.
Topping:
- 1/2 box yellow Jiffy Cake mix (approx. 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
In medium bowl, combine the ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the filling. Bake in a 350 degree oven for sixty minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool before serving. Excellent served with whipped topping.
