Sunday, September 9, 2018

Frosted Pumpkin Bars



With the temperature hovering below 60 degrees today,  I'm beginning to think fall is really on the way. While I'm not a pumpkin spice fanatic--not for coffee or ice cream in any event-I do like spice cake and pumpkin pie. I found this recipe on Marlene Koch's website and thought a 2 Smart Point dessert (75 calories) sounded like a good deal.

COOKIE BAR INGREDIENTS - 24 servings
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
11/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon mace
6 tablespoons margarine, softened
1  2 1/2-ounce container baby food prunes (or prunes and apples blend)
1  15-ounce can 100 % pure packed pumpkin (like Libby’s)
2/3 cup no-calorie granulated sweetener*
2  tablespoons molasses
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1  egg
¼ cup raisins, finely chopped

FROSTING INGREDIENTS

4   ounces tub-style light cream cheese
6   ounces nonfat cream cheese
¼ cup no-calorie granulated sweetener*
2   tablespoons orange juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch pan with nonstick baking spray.

2. Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices, set aside. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the margarine and prunes together. Add pumpkin purée, sweetener, molasses, vanilla, and egg. Beat well. Stir in flour mixture. Stir in raisins.

3. Spoon into prepared pan and smooth. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly touched in the center. Cool on rack.

4. In a small bowl, with an electric mixer, beat all frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy. Spread frosting onto cool bars. Refrigerate.

*To use a baking blend, like all-natural Truvia for Baking, use 1/2 the listed measurement.



Nutrition Information Per Serving: (1 bar)   Calories 75 | Carbohydrate 8g (Sugars 3 g)  |  Total Fat 3.5g (Sat Fat 1g)  |  Protein 3g  |  Fiber .5g  |  Cholesterol mg  |  Sodium 120mg  |  Food Exchanges:  1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat |  Carbohydrate Choices: 1/2 |  Weight Watcher Plus Point Comparison:  2 Smart Points: 2
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TASTE NOTES
These cake-like bars hit the spot, but the cream cheese frosting is the real star of the show. These are just the thing with a cup of tea and can be frozen individually to spread out the delight.

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