Beth of Cookie Pie!
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There are all kinds of pumpkin bar recipes out there. I was bound and determined that the recipe I made was not going to be full of oil. The first recipe I made did not turn out. I was really disappointed because it was from my favorite cooking source - Cooking Light. Well, I guess I can't say it didn't turn out - but it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. I ended up tossing it. I'm not sure if it was the recipe or if it was just me but it didn't rise and it was kind of "gummy". If you made the CL recipe (here) let me know how yours turned out? I'd like to know what I did wrong because others in the reviews said they made it as stated and it turned out great for them. I do know I am not the only one who made it and it didn't turn out.
I finally decided on a recipe from allrecipes.com but of course, I didn't follow it completely (original recipe here). It called for a full cup of oil and I just can't find it in myself to make a cake with that much oil in it. Someone in the reviews had mentioned subbing applesauce but I had some greek yogurt in the refrigerator so I went with that in place of the oil. I didn't get a "cakey" texture - you know the "crumb" look? Grumpy called it more like sponge cake texture but said it was light and good (and he ate two pieces last night while we watched a movie!). It turned out de-lic-ious! For the frosting I went with the cooking light recipe they had with their recipe for pumpkin bars.
Cake:
¾ cup Greek yogurt
½ teaspoon salt
In a mixing bowl, beat pumpkin, 2 cups white sugar, and oil. Add eggs, and mix well.
In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add these dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, and beat until well blended. Pour batter into a greased 15 x 10 inch baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, or until cake tests done. Cool.
For the frosting(from Cooking Light): Combine 2 tablespoons butter, ½ teaspoon vanilla, and 8 oz ⅓ less fat cream cheese in a bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until combined. Gradually add 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating until well combined. Spread frosting evenly over top of cake.
Sweet and Savory
Whatever you did, the bars look great, light and airy and tasty.
I use applesauce when I see too much fat, in a recipe, and it does work. Yogurt was a good call.
Esi
I this recipe looks great! I can't wait to try it.
{kiss my spatula}
beautiful photos! can't wait to give these a go!
Donna-FFW
Pumpkin Bars are a must make for me every fall.. I usually do Paula Deens. Nice sub with the yogurt!
Barbara Bakes
Sounds great, especially with the light cream cheese frosting!
Christy
Wow-these look scrumptious!! I haven't tried pumpkin bars yet, but these are a must try!
Helene
I like that your bars are done with yogourt. They looks really good.
Amanda
They look absolutely fabulous 🙂
Flourchild
I have been enjoying baking more with pumpkin this fall. There are so many wonderful recipes using pumpkin! These bars look fantastic. I would love to try this recipe too!
averagebetty
YUM! These look delicious! Thanks for doing some Pumpkin Bar experimentation for us... so we know the right recipe to use 🙂
Katy ~
Well done. I never would have even considered subbing yogurt for oil. You are creative and BRAVE! Well done.
Gera @ SweetsFoods
These pumpkin bars look extremely yummy and great idea the addition of yogurt 🙂
Cheers!
Gera
Jamie
Don't you hate it when you get your hopes up that something is going to taste great but than it dissapoints. The trials and errors of the kitchen.
Good for you for making those pumpkin bars healthier. I love the frosting on top.
Leslie
I cant stand when things dont turn out in the kitchen!
But your second attempt looks wonderful
teresa
these look great! i love that you use yogurt!
Jessie
great pumpkin bars! I recently tried greek yogurt and I am in love, it is so much better than regular yogurt alone.
Ingrid
Mmmm, love pumpkin bars. With these bad boys I wouldn't feel guilty eating one or two. 🙂
~ingrid
CookiePie
YUM - those look so delicious - the perfect snack!!
Carrian
Those look so delicious!! I wish I could make pumpkin year round because I have so many new recipes to try!
Cristine
These look fantastic!