Shelly's Recipe

PUMPKIN PIE BARS

Category: Bars

1 1/3 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup cold butter
1 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats, uncooked
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp bourbon (optional)
A handful of butterscotch or chocolate chips for sprinkling on top (optional)

Heat oven to 350. Line 13×9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; grease foil. Mix flour, 1/4 cup sugar and brown sugar in medium bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and nuts.

Reserve 1 cup oat mixture; press remaining onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 min. Beat cream cheese, remaining sugar, eggs, vanilla, bourbon, pumpkin and spice with mixer until well blended. Pour over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture and a handful of butterscotch or chocolate chips (if desired). Bake 25 minutes; cool 10 min. Use foil to transfer dessert from pan to wire rack; cool completely.

NOTE: Substitute pumpkin pie spice mix with 1 tsp each ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and allspice, then use as directed.