There’s something about the arrival of fall that makes me yearn for the comforting warmth of the kitchen. The smell of spices wafting through the air, the soft glow of the oven light, and the anticipation of a delicious treat coming out of it. One of my absolute favorite treats to bake during this season is these Soft Delicious Pumpkin Bars. These bars are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, with a soft texture that melts in your mouth. The recipe has a rich history, originating from the traditional American pumpkin pie. It was adapted over time to create a handheld version that’s perfect for sharing at fall gatherings. I love this recipe not only for its delicious taste but also for the ease of preparation. The ingredients are simple and likely already in your pantry, making it a great go-to recipe for any fall occasion. Plus, the smell of these bars baking in the oven is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. The sweet scent of pumpkin and cinnamon is truly the essence of fall.
Ingredients
- 2 c. flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 4 eggs
- 1 c. nuts
- 2 c. pumpkin
- 1 tsp. soda
- 2 c. sugar
- 1 c. oil
Baking Instructions
- Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes.
Calorie: 200
Total cooking time: 35 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
Chapter 1: The Great Pumpkin Caper
So there I was, standing in my kitchen, staring down an army of ingredients with a sense of trepidation usually reserved for bungee jumping or blind dates. I had flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, eggs, nuts, pumpkin, soda, sugar, and oil all lined up in front of me like soldiers ready for battle. I felt like a general, rallying my troops before a daring raid on the enemy. The mission? To conquer the enemy territory of…my kitchen table.
Now, I’m no Julia Child. The last time I tried to cook something, I nearly burned down the apartment trying to make toast. But I was determined to make these Soft Delicious Pumpkin Bars or die trying.
Chapter 2: The Mixing Bowl Incident
First things first, I needed to combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. I managed to spill half the flour on the floor, turning my kitchen into a winter wonderland. I briefly considered just sweeping it under the rug – out of sight, out of mind, right? But then I remembered I didn’t have a rug. And I was pretty sure that’s not how cooking works.
After a brief battle with the rogue flour, I finally had my dry ingredients mixed and set aside. I felt like a champion. With the first hurdle crossed, I was ready to tackle the eggs, sugar, and oil.
Chapter 3: The Eggs-travaganza
The eggs were next. They had to be beaten with sugar and oil until they were smoother than a pick-up line at a bar. Halfway through, my electric mixer gave up the ghost. It sputtered and died with a dramatic flair worthy of a Hollywood death scene.
Undeterred, I grabbed a whisk and went at it old-school style. My arm ached, my forehead was sweaty, but I was victorious! The eggs, sugar, and oil were as smooth as a baby’s bottom.
Chapter 4: Pumpkin…Pumpkin Everywhere!
Then it was time for the pumpkin. 2 cups of the orange gloop went into the mix. It looked like something out of a Halloween horror movie, but I was assured this was part of the process. I stirred it in, trying not to think about the mess I was making.
Chapter 5: Nuts, Soda, and a Prayer
Adding the nuts and soda was the next step. At this point, I was starting to question my life choices. But I powered through, dumping the nuts and soda into the mixture and stirring like a madman.
Chapter 6: The Great Bake-Off
Finally, it was time to bake. The mixture went into the oven at 350°, and I collapsed into a chair, exhausted but hopeful. I kept a close eye on the oven, ready to leap into action at the first sign of smoke.
25-30 minutes later, the timer dinged, and out came the most beautiful, golden brown pumpkin bars I’d ever seen. I let out a triumphant whoop that probably scared my neighbors.
Epilogue: The Taste Test
I let them cool, taking a moment to admire my handiwork. Then, with a sense of excitement and trepidation, I took a bite.
And you know what? They were delicious. Soft, moist, and bursting with flavor. I had done it. A culinary klutz had become a pumpkin bar champion.
And if I can do it, anyone can. Just remember to stock up on flour – you never know when you might need to turn your kitchen into a winter wonderland.
