Simple Pumpkin Bars

There are so many wonderful food blogs out there just brimming with great things to eat.  One of my missions is to save you time, and preview some of the great recipes and share them with you.  Lately, I have been finding some good ones on Pinterest.  Pinterest led me to this blog, "Some the Wiser" and this wonderful recipe.  If you think fall equals pumpkin like I do, you need to make these up tonight!

Crust Ingredients:

1 1/3 cup unbleached white flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

8 tablespoons butter (softened)

3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Filling Ingredients:

8oz cream cheese, softened_I used a pumpkin flavored cream cheese I found at Safeway

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In a food processor, combine crust ingredients and pulse two or three times until mixture is crumbly. Reserve 2/3 cup of the mixture for topping.  Press remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of an 8x11 baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool slightly. 

In a medium bowl, combine filling ingredients.  Using an electric mixer at medium speed, blend until mixture is smooth.  Pour mixture over baked crust.  Sprinkle with remaining crust topping. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until firm.