PUMPKIN SPICED BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Ingredients

1 large egg
1 cup butter, softened butter
1 cups granulated sugar
1 cup pureed pumpkin
1 cup walnut pieces

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ginger

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

1. In the bowl of your stand-type mixer and with the paddle attachment, mix the eggs, soften butter, sugar, pumpkin, and walnuts together.
2. In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger together.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and continue beating until combined.
4. Line a 13 x 9-inch pan with parchment paper or grease and flour.  Pour the batter into the pan and smooth it until it is level.  Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Cool on a wire rack in the pan.  If you are using parchment paper, grab the edges of the paper and lift the cake onto a cutting board.  Frost the cake.  Cut it into bars to serve.

For the frosting

4 ounces cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoon milk

1. Beat the cream cheese in a small bowl until it is fluffy.  Add the vanilla.  Gradually add the powdered sugar.
2. Beat in enough milk to reach the desired spreading consistency.