Creamy Pumpkin Bars

This is an easy recipe that my mom fixes every fall, and boy does it go over well with the kids! Here's what you'll need:

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 can pumpkin
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon.) In a large mixing bowl, cream together the pumpkin, eggs, and oil with the sugar. Once you've reached a creamy consistency, gradually beat in the flour mixture, stirring well and scraping the bottom of the bowl with your spoon or spatula. If you'll be serving guests who don't like nuts, set them aside and sprinkle them over the frosting on one half of the bars rather than mixing them into the batter.

Pour the batter into two greased 9x13-inch pans and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Allow them to cool before frosting.

Now, you can either use the frosting recipe from the pumpkin cake (posted yesterday) or here's another variation for your culinary enjoyment:

Beat together one 8-ounce package of cream cheese, 6 tablespoons softened butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon of milk. Once creamy, gradually add in powdered sugar and continue beating until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.  Frost the pumpkin bars when they've cooled and sprinkle with chopped nuts -- if you like that kind of thing. Serve these at your autumnal gatherings, and watch them disappear like ghosts at sunrise!