Pumpkin Bars
October 26, 2009 by Eleisia
Filed under Recipes & Tips
Pumpkin is the ultimate autumn food. It is an ingredient in cakes, pies, cookies, stews, and soups. Pumpkin has many health and nutritional benefits.
- Pumpkin is very rich in carotenoids, which is known for keeping the immune system of an individual strong and healthy.
- Beta-carotene, found in pumpkin, is a powerful antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. It helps prevent build up of cholesterol on the arterial walls, thus reducing chances of strokes.
- Being rich in alpha-carotene, pumpkin is believed to slow the process of aging and also prevent cataract formation.
- Pumpkins have been known to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious eye problem than usually results in blindness.
- The high amount of fiber, present in a pumpkin, is good for the bowel health of an individual.
- Being loaded with potassium, pumpkin is associated with lowering the risk of hypertension.
- The presence of zinc in pumpkins boosts the immune system and also improves the bone density.
Pumpkin Bars
These pumpkin bars taste great with orange-flavored frosting and candy pumpkin decorations. Treat your family or those ghosts and goblins to a delicious pumpkin snack.
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Ground Ginger
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Ground Nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Orange Frosting
3 tablespoons butter, softened
2-1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
Candy pumpkins
In a large bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in pumpkin and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, ginger and nutmeg; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the nuts.
Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
In a bowl, beat the butter, confectioners’ sugar, orange juice and orange peel until blended. Frost cooled bars and cut into squares. Top with candy pumpkins.
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