Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater Revisited

I don't know Peter.  Or the wife he couldn't keep.   I also don't think very highly of putting live people into pumpkin shells as a divorce prevention method.   What I am a fan of is pumpkin eating.   Specifically, pumpkin bar eating.

So let me rephrase:

Sharon, Sharon, pumpkin bakin'

Made these bars, and meant to take 'em

To the potluck, but she cheated:

Kept half the batch.  And those she eat-ed.  

Pumpkin Pie Bars
A recipe from my mom, who got it from a neighbor well over 20 years ago.  And yes, it has topping.

Crust
1 pkg yellow cake mix, less 1 c. reserved for topping
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted
1 egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350.  Reserve 1 c. of cake mix for topping.  Pour remaining mix into a bowl, add egg and butter. Mix well. Pat evenly into 13x9 pan.


Filling
1 c. canned pumpkin
2/3 c. evaporated milk
2 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt

Blend all ingredients well, and pour over crust.


Topping
Reserved 1 c. cake mix
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. cold butter, diced

Blend dry ingredients together, then cut in the butter with a pastry blender or a fork.  Sprinkle over filling.

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and filling is set.  Cool, cut into bars, and serve.

I recommend serving these on a very nice platter with a good amount of space in between the bars.  It looks lovely, and no one will notice that you left quite a few of the pumpkin bars in the pan.