Joe's Awesome Pumpkin Bars

Step 1

In small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Set aside.

Step 2

In large bowl, beat together the sugars, eggs, pumpkin, oil, and vanilla for about 60 seconds. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until smooth.

Step 3

Pour into a greased 12” X 17” (half sheet pan), rimmed sheet pan. See notes.

Step 4

Bake at 350°F for 18 to 20 minutes, rotating after 10 minutes. Bars are done when they’re just turning brown around the edges and pulling away from the sides of the pan, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake or the bars will be dry.

Step 5

Cool completely before frosting.

Step 6

Beat butter and powdered sugar until smooth, add the cream cheese and beat just until combined. Beat in the vanilla and half-and-half until smooth.

Step 7

Once you’ve added the cream cheese, don’t beat any longer than necessary because cream cheese gets runny when beat too long.

Step 8

Frost the completely cooled bars.

Step 9

Leftovers should be covered and refrigerated.