Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars

The flavor of pumpkin and cream cheese is delicious in these bars. They make a wonderful Autumn treat. This is one of my favorite bar recipes. :) They are good with or without the frosting. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars

1/2 cup (one stick) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
1 Tbsp. molasses
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Filling

5 Tbsp. butter softened
Two 3-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. unbleached all-purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly butter a 13+9-inch baking pan or spray with no-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar at high speed for about 1 minute. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the pumpkin and molasses. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. On medium speed, gradually add to the pumpkin batter, mixing well. Stir in the walnuts.

To make the filling, in a small bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese. Beat in sugar, then individually , the eggs, vanilla, and flour. Beat on medium speed until well blended, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally.

Spread half of the pumpkin batter evenly in the prepared pan. Spoon the cream cheese filling evenly over the batter. Spread the remaining pumpkin batter evenly over the filling. Swirl a knife through the batter for a marbled effect.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Cool to the pan on a wire rack. If desired frost with Browned Butter Frosting.

Browned Butter Frosting

3 Tbsp. Butter
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the sugar. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is light brown in color. Remove from the heat. Stir in the milk and vanilla and stir until smooth and of spreading consistency.