The West Des Moines Community Schools Nutrition Services Department served their popular pumpkin bars for lunch in late November with help from district staff. The bars were so tasty that Crestview fifth graders asked for the recipe! 

The Nutrition Services version makes 7,000 bars to feed WDMCS, but Director Willow Kriegel shared the regular-sized recipe from her own kitchen below. Thank you, Nutrition Services!

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 10×15-inch baking pan (deep cookie sheet).

2 cups of all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1- 15 ounce can of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1½ tsp pure vanilla extract

1. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice together in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. Whisk the oil, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pumpkin, and vanilla extract together until combined.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and use a mixer or whisk until completely combined. Batter will be thick.
4. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 28-35 minutes. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours.
6. The bars are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
7. Remove the bars from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack. Cool bars completely.

Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese
¼ cup salted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

1. In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
2. Frost bars and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice.
3. Enjoy!