Spiced Pumpkin Bars with Browned Butter Frosting

20-24 bars.

The rich and nutty flavor of browned butter is the perfect complement to pumpkin bars.

Ingredients

Bars

  • 2 ½ cups flour
  • 1 ⅔ cups sugar
  • 1 ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1 ¼ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
  • ¾ cup butter, softened
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 2 eggs

Frosting

  • ¾ cup butter
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 4 – 5 Tbsp Half & Half

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 15” x 10” x 1” jelly roll pan with non-stick spray or line pan with rapid-release foil.
  • Combine all dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.
  • Add softened butter and pumpkin. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
  • Add eggs and milk. Beat until well mixed.
  • Pour into prepared pan. Bake 25 – 35 min. or until bars spring back when lightly touched in center. Cool completely.
  • Meanwhile, prepare frosting. Melt butter in 2-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat.
  • Cook, stirring constantly, until butter just begins to turn golden brown (3 – 4 min.). Butter will get foamy and bubble. Watch closely so milk solids don’t burn. Immediately remove from heat.   
  • Transfer to mixing bowl; let cool. 
  • Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat at medium speed, gradually adding enough Half & Half to reach desired consistency. Frost cooled bars.

Tip

  • Frosted bars can be frozen for up to 3 months.

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