Clarion County Recipe of the Day: Pumpkin Dessert Bars

J.C. Taggart

J.C. Taggart

Published November 24, 2014 5:01 am
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Pumpkin Dessert Bars — A great-tasting dessert for your Thanksgiving buffet!

Pumpkin Dessert Bars

Ingredients

1-3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1-1/3 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 — 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
5 eggs
1 — 15 oz. can solid-pack pumpkin
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
whipped topping
ground nutmeg

Directions

~Preheat oven at 350°.

~In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/3 cup sugar; stir in butter. Press into a greased 13×9″ baking dish.

~In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and 2/3 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in 2 eggs just until blended. Pour over crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes (or until set). Cool on a wire rack.

~Meanwhile, separate remaining eggs and set whites aside.

~In a large saucepan, combine the yolks, pumpkin, brown sugar, milk, salt, and cinnamon. Cook and stir over low heat for 10-12 minutes (or until mixture is thickened and reaches 160°). Remove from the heat.

~In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Heat over low heat, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir into pumpkin mixture; set aside.

~In a large heavy saucepan, combine reserved egg whites and remaining sugar. With a portable mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until mixture reaches 160°, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat; beat until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved.

~Fold into pumpkin mixture; spread evenly over cream cheese layer. Cover and refrigerate until set.

~Garnish with whipped topping and nutmeg.

~Makes 15 servings.

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