Mary DeAngelis’s Pumpkin Pineapple Bars


DESSERT

INGREDIENTS

For the crust

  • 12 oz walnuts
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp sugar 

For the bars

  • 1, 15oz can pumpkin
  • 1, 8oz can drained, crushed pineapple
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 ¾ cups flour
  • 2 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • 1, 15oz container of cream cheese frosting

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Food process the walnuts and sugar until finely chopped then add the melted butter and pulse until incorporated.
  3. Press into the bottom of a 13x9 baker.
  4. Bake until the crust starts to brown and firm up, about 10 minutes.
  5. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  6. In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mix together the pumpkin, pineapple, brown sugar and eggs.
  7. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and sugar in a separate bowl.
  8. Spoon mixture evenly over the walnut crust.
  9. Bake for 35-40 minutes until it’s slightly brown and firm.
  10. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  11. Frost and cut into the bars.