Fall is a season that brings with it a rich palette of colors, cool breezes, and most importantly, the return of all things pumpkin! Today, I want to share with you a recipe that’s very dear to my heart – Pumpkin Squares. These squares are not just any ordinary dessert, they’re a symbol of family, tradition, and the warmth of the autumn season. I remember baking these with my mom as a child. The aroma of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves wafting through the house still takes me back to those days. This recipe is quite simple and uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The pumpkin filling is creamy and full of fall flavors, while the crust made with oats and brown sugar adds a delightful crunch. The end result is a dessert that’s comforting, delicious, and screams fall! Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, you can easily make these Pumpkin Squares. They’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or any fall gathering. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get baking!
Ingredients
- 1 c. flour
- 1/2 c. quick oats
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1/2 c. margarine
- 1 (1 lb.) can pumpkin
- 1 (13 1/2 oz.) evaporated milk
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 c. sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ginger
- 1/4 tsp. cloves
- 1/2 c. walnuts
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. butter
Baking Instructions
- Combine flour, oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter in bowl.
- Mix until crumbly.
- Press into greased 13 x 9-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes.
- Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar and spices in mixing bowl.
- Beat well.
- Pour into crust.
- Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.
- Combine nuts, brown sugar and butter.
- Sprinkle on top.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until filling is set.
Calorie: 210
Total cooking time: 55 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Unbelievable Tale of the Pumpkin Squares
Well folks, grab a cup of joe, sit back, and let me regale you with the epic saga of my most recent culinary escapade. It was a day like any other when I decided to prepare, of all things, Pumpkin Squares. Yes, you heard right. Pumpkin Squares. Brace yourselves, it’s going to be a hilarious ride.
The Beginning: The Dance of the Flour and Oats
In the beginning, there was flour…and oats. Not just any oats, quick oats. The kind of oats that don’t have time to play around. I combined 1 c. flour and 1/2 c. quick oats with 1/2 c. brown sugar and 1/2 c. margarine in a bowl. As I mixed them together, it was a sight to behold. They danced around, intertwining with each other, creating a crumbly masterpiece that could make a grown man weep. I pressed this beautiful mess into a greased 13 x 9-inch pan and slid it into the oven. 350° for 15 minutes. I could almost hear the margarine sighing with relief.
The Plot Thickens: The Pumpkin Rebellion
Next up were the heavy hitters: 1 (1 lb.) can pumpkin, 1 (13 1/2 oz.) can evaporated milk, 2 eggs, 3/4 c. sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ginger, and 1/4 tsp. cloves. As I combined them in a mixing bowl, I could almost hear the pumpkin staging a rebellion with the evaporated milk. The eggs, sugar, and spices were the peacemakers, mediating the situation and creating a harmonious blend. I beat them well. Not because I’m cruel, mind you, but because they needed to learn to get along. I poured this ragtag team into the crust and back into the oven they went. 350° for 20 minutes. The pumpkin and milk were silent, perhaps plotting their next move.
The Climax: The Nutty Encounter
The final act was upon us. I combined 1/2 c. walnuts, 1/2 c. brown sugar, and 2 Tbsp. butter. The walnuts lamented their fate, and I could swear the butter consoled them with promises of glory. As I sprinkled this nutty concoction on top, I felt like a mad scientist, conducting a delicious experiment. Back into the oven they went for the final bake. 15 to 20 minutes until the filling was set. I could almost hear the walnuts chuckling with glee. Their time had come.
The Aftermath: The Unveiling of the Pumpkin Squares
The timer dinged, and there they were. My beautiful, mouthwatering Pumpkin Squares. The pumpkin and milk, now best friends. The walnuts, relishing their glory on top. Each bite was a testament to the hilarity of the journey. Sweet, spicy, and slightly nutty, much like the process itself. The Pumpkin Squares were a hit, and I, the humble baker, took a bow.
So, there you have it. The tale of one baker and her quest to make the perfect Pumpkin Squares. A story of flour, oats, sugar, spices, and a slightly rebellious can of pumpkin. A hilarious, delicious journey that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some Pumpkin Squares calling my name. Happy baking!
