Pumpkin Pie Bar picture

Found an excuse to make these again. Just as tasty - and this time I remembered to get a picture before they were all gone.  I intentionally added 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts instead of the 1 cup called for in the original recipe.  Really like the nuttiness of the bottom crust and streusel-like topping.

Pumpkin Pie Bars

For our family dinner Sunday  I was to bring dessert.  I came across a couple of pumpkin recipes I thought I'd try - after all it was Halloween.  One was Pumpkin Brownies.  They were okay but I probably won't make them again.  The other was Pumpkin Pie Bars.  They didn't have a bit of chocolate in them but oh my were they good!  They are definitely on my preferred recipe list!  Thought I'd share. 

Pumpkin Pie Bars by Eagle Brand

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 cup finely chopped nuts (Pecans are a good choice SL)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
• 1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon All Purpose Flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, nuts, sugars and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Add butter, mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 1/4 cups of the mixture. Pat remaining mixture on bottom of greased 13x9-inch baking pan.
2. Meanwhile, in large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, allspice and salt; mix well. Pour evenly over crust. Mix reserved crumbs with 1 tablespoon flour. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

I used probably 1 ½ cups of pecans – really tasted good.  In my haste to get these put together for dinner Sunday, I forgot to add the flour to the crumb topping.

I served whipped cream with these bars.

For a picture you'll need to go to http://www.eaglebrand.com/recipes/details/?RecipeId=4029&categoryIndex=-1 - I couldn't figure out how to get the picture - we finished the pan before I thought to get a picture.  Hmmm, maybe I need to make another batch.

"Backsplash"

Richard has been diligent in tiling our kitchen walls when not working, filling church assignments or some such.
Today the last tile was put in place - except for the decorative mosaic that is being attempted (the printed design pattern was inserted into the "hole"). The dark caulking was put between the wall tile and counters and between the dark decorative tiles (actually designed for use as a chair rail). Grouting remains to be done once the tile has been in place 24 hours.

We've called it the backsplash for so long but now that it is close to being completed perhaps it would be more accurate to label it kitchen wall. What ever you want to label it, it is GORGEOUS!

Over the stove.

 

The baking corner   

 Area over dishwasher (color is off)

Next up on the "to - do list" is to install the vent over the stove - almost hate to cover up any of the beautiful wall. But it will be nice to get the boxes emptied and recycled.


While Richard has been working on the kitchen I've been working on the family room changing things around and getting rid of some furniture. Pictures of that when I'm closer to completing that task.

Backsplash started!

Dashing through the house
With trowel and tile in hand,
Creating is my spouse,
A backsplash oh so grand.
First a row set straight,
Then the tile vine:
Oh this pattern is ornate,
Each rhombus is in line!

Looking good, looking good,
Looking oh so grand!
Oh what fun it is to see
The kitchen we have planned!

A Functioning Kitchen

Tuesday was a red letter day in our kitchen remodeling. Our LG HI-MACS(r) Volcanics Solid Surface counters were installed. We chose a color called "Dorado." Once Gecko Solid Surface Solutions had installed the counters and left, Richard and I took out the broom closet cabinet to replace the foot that had been bent when the broom cabinet was put back after the corner counter had been put in place - counter wouldn't go in unless it was cut or we took the cabinet out. The latter was an obvious answer for us. We had to do it right away as the installers had glued the counter to the cabinet and we had to remove and replace before the glue dried.
Richard next tackled the kitchen faucet and sink drains. He was just about to go to the store to get needed parts when the plumber showed up and was able to install the gas line and stove. That evening Richard finished the sink plumbing with a minor problem - one sink basket didn't seal completely. So we put a bucket under the sink and called it good until he could work on it again.
Thanks to some internet research the next day Richard was able to get it sealed and we had a fully functioning sink.
One of the things I've discovered about this gas cooktop is that the setting right after ignition is "hi." "Low" is at the opposite end of the dial so you can't ever extinguish the flame when trying to simmer a pot.

I like the faucet - though I have to learn how to best use it. I am learning (as the water splashes out of the sink) that you really don't need to turn it all the way on to get a full flow. The one we installed is a single handle faucet.

And the display cabinet.

We waited until the counters were installed before putting on the doors and putting my cup and saucer collection in their new home. I was also able to find a home for Grandma Murtle Cowles' pitcher and Great-grandma Shaw's sugar bowl.

Countertops

Here they are!

Installed but not without some difficulty. Had to remove broom closet so they could fit the corner piece in. When moving the broom closet back in place the back leg twisted so we had to take closet back out, replace leg and then reinstall. Also a problem with the sink install. Some damage to the false sink drawer which they will replace. Such is life and building.

But it looks good and everything I hoped for. Love the wide countertop. Richard is taking care of plumbing the sink this afternoon. Plumber might be here this afternoon to take care of the stove.

Away in the Drawers

Away in the drawers, we’re finding good homes
For plates and the fry pans, and fine cooking tomes.
The whisks and the flour are all put away.
Soon boxes will not be the job of the day.

Drawer pulls and door pulls are now screwed in tight,
A functioning kitchen is coming to light.
Toe kicks and moldings are next to be seen,
Then tile backsplashes to look so pristine.

On Tuesday the counter tops are to be laid,
On cabinets that Richard’s so carefully made.
An arctic white sink is included too;
How good life will be in our kitchen so new.

Progress hasn’t been real visible this week – with the exception of pulls on drawers and doors.If you were to open those drawers and doors you’d see I spent the week filling them. The box of boxes helped me remember I WAS making progress.

This cabinet is wonderful BUT I think every drawer glide was screwed in at least twice. We didn’t account for the door hinges the first time we placed the glides. Time for plan B. Plan B was great except we hadn’t allowed for the hinge part that attaches to the door to clear the drawers. Three drawers had to be moved. Third time was the charm.

We had a pot luck family dinner at our house last night. Even with temporary sink and counters and retrieving knives from the storage shed and without the cook top, the kitchen was comfortably up to the task. I think I’m going to enjoy our new kitchen as much as I hoped.

Abby and Marshall helped assemble an ice cream sandwich cake.
It was fun but licking the spoons was the best part.

You CAN have too much of a good thing!