Pumpkin Carrot Swirl Bars Recipes

PUMPKIN CREAM CHEESE SWIRL BARS

Steps:

• Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease or line the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides. Set aside.
• In a large bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar and beat on medium high speed until fluffy and light in color. Beat in egg and vanilla on high speed. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. On medium speed, beat in the pumpkin until combined. The mixture will look curdled; that's ok.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt together until combined. On low speed, slowly mix into the wet ingredients until combined. Do not overmix. The mixture will be thick. Spread 2/3 of the batter evenly into the prepared pan; it will be a relatively thin layer. The rest will be added in step 5.
• In a medium bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer filled with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese for 1 minute on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy. Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Beat on high speed until completely combined. Drop random spoonfuls on top of the pumpkin batter.
• Drop the remaining pumpkin batter on top of the spoonfuls of cream cheese. With a rubber spatula or knife, begin gently swirling the two together. Both mixtures are thick, so go slowly. Jiggle the pan back and forth to get the layers to settle into the pan. Don't worry if it looks messy; everything will come together in nice swirls as the bars bake. Sprinkle cinnamon-pepitas on top of the swirled batter.
• Bake the bars for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator for about 2 hours before cutting into squares. Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They're SO good on day 2!

PUMPKIN CARROT SWIRL BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan.
• Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and baking soda in small bowl.
• Beat granulated sugar, butter and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until crumbly.
• Add eggs, egg whites, pumpkin and carrot; beat until well blended.
• Add flour mixture; mix well.
• Spread into prepared pan.
• Cream Cheese Topping:.
• Prepare cream cheese topping in separate bowl as follows --.
• Combine 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon milk in small mixer bowl until thoroughly blended.
• Drop teaspoonfuls of cream cheese topping over batter; swirl mixture with spoon.
• BAKE for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.