Friday, September 9, 2016

Chocolate Swirled Pumpkin Bars & September's Give-Away Apron

I know it's still Summer; it's actually 95F-degrees here, but I can't help wanting some Fall flavors.  Pumpkin is the first thing that comes to my mind for baking and this bars deliver on taste that satisfies my craving.  I love combining chocolate with pumpkin, which is stirred into cream cheese to make this bars resemble a pumpkin cheesecake that you can pick up in your hands.

My family shares my love of pumpkin.  In fact, our daughter Kelly always asked for a Pumpkin Pie for her birthday.  Interesting coincidence while our grandson was here in August and we celebrated all the grands birthdays at once, I asked him what kind of cake he wanted to bake and he said pumpkin pie!  Maddie chose Red Velvet and Emmie is our "Chocolate/Chocolate" Girl!






Chocolate Swirled Pumpkin Bars
Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Line a 15" x 10" baking pan with aluminum foil, extending over the edges. 
Pumpkin Batter:
2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1-15oz can pumpkin ( 1 3/4 cups)
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup vegetable oil

In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin, eggs and oil together.  Add the dry ingredients and and stir to combine.  Spread the pumpkin batter in prepared pan.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Swirl:
1-8oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 Mini Semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
1 T milk

In a microwave, melt the chocolate.  Every 25 seconds, check and stir until melted.  In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until fluffy.  Add the granulated sugar and egg and beat until combined.  Add the milk and melted chocolate and beat once more.  Spoon the chocolate cream cheese mixture on top of the pumpkin mixture in the baking pan.  Use a knife to create swirls through the batter.

 
Topping:
1/2 cup Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Finally, sprinkle the topping over the bars and place in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.

Test with a toothpick poked in the center--if it comes out clean, it's done.  Cool in the pan on a wire rack.  Using the foil, lift uncut bars out of the pan and cut into 24 bars.  Enjoy!


This month's apron is a special one.  One of my blogging buddies, Karianne Woods of Thistlewood Farms blog, designed the material called "Sweet Tea."  She will actually be in our area tomorrow and I hope to meet her in person, as I'm sure so many others will.  I thought the fabrics were so pretty and made this apron for September perfect!  Comment on any of my posts this month and you will have a chance to win this apron and be baking in your own kitchen while wearing it!
Good Luck!






16 comments:

  1. So much fun to see you in the kitchen with your grands. They look very happy to be joining you there. Pumpkin anything floats my boat...yum. What a pretty apron! Thank you for telling about Karianne's design. It is lovely.

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    1. I'm with you Vee about pumpkin! I got to meet KariAnne today and she's just so personable...just like her blog!

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  2. I came across you the other day, via Martha Ellen's blog. Pumpkin is my favourite everything ~and, I can try this recipe because it will fit in my tiny oven ~just!
    I do feel for you with your temperatures so high while our weather is more like the end of Autumn at the moment.
    Such a pretty apron, but as I'm overseas please do not put my name in as the postage is prohibitive. I have a small collection of aprons and do not feel properly dressed without one!
    ~~~Deborah in Wales

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    1. I have sent aprons all over the world over the last 7 years, so I have no problem if you win☺️ Thank you for coming by!

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  3. I love seeing your Grands in the kitchen! Tiger loves to cook at home. Your aprons are always so beautiful, I treasure mine and wear them often! Hugs!!

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    1. It was a lot of fun, in spite of getting over pneumonia! I had waited all summer for this visit and I wasn't going to let a little illness have me miss it!

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  4. Oh gosh! Everything on the blog is so beautiful this morning----the grands in the kitchen with you, the pumpkin bars and, of course, your apron!

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  5. I can tell how much fun your grand kids love you and baking with you :-)) These pumpkin bars look really super with chocolate swirls, Susan.

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    1. Really are good and I so we see some cooler weather soon!

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  6. I love seeing you baking with the grands, Susan. They look so much at home in the kitchen and have grown so much since I last saw photos. Your delightful pumpkin bars with chocolate would make us happy. Hopefully fall will be visiting us soon with its cooler temps. xo ♥

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  7. Chocolate and pumpkin... oh, yeah! Must try this recipe! Looks like you and the grandkids are having a ball!
    Thanks for the chance to win the beautiful apron! Love the color combo and designs in the fabrics you chose!

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  8. I look forward to the day I have grands to cook with.

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  9. Fall always makes me think of Pumpkin. Love your pictures.

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  10. Pumpkin is a great flavor! Susan, you are so lucky to be able to see and visit with your grandkids and that they have your love for baking.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  11. What cuties you have in your kitchen!

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