Sunday, October 30, 2011

Pumpkin-Pecan Squares with Cinnamon Chips



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...My calendar looks like a checker board and there are times the scramble to honor the commitments I've made looks like a bad vaudeville routine. I'm told my two first words were taxi and yes and I've been cursed ever since. Today's recipe was originally made during a time crunch and chosen because it was so simple to do. I continue to use it when I'm pressed for time, and while it is not my favorite recipe, these pumpkin squares have attended a lot of meetings and pot-luck suppers. The recipe was originally developed by Martha Stewart. I've changed it slightly because I thought her version was too sweet and that other ingredients overwhelmed the flavor of the pumpkin in the bars. The original recipe can be found here. Those of you who like your sweets really sweet will enjoy these. They are moist, cake-like and mildly flavored. They are perfect with afternoon tea or coffee. If your tastes run to less sweet European-style pastries, you might want to take a pass on this recipe. The greatest virtue of these bars is the ease with which they can be prepared. Here's the recipe for those of you I haven't scared away.

Pumpkin-Pecan Squares with Cinnamon Chips...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Martha Stewart

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 cup cinnamon chips
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.
2) In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pie spice, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3) With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in pumpkin puree (mixture may appear curdled). Reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in cinnamon chips and pecans.
4) Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
5) Lift cake from pan (using foil as an aid). Peel off foil, and use a serrated knife to cut into 24 squares.

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42 comments :

Jeannie said...

That looks delicious Mary, I tend to reduce sugar in recipes to suit my palate although I realize I would not get the same texture as the original recipe. I would love to try this recipe with reduced sugar of course:D Hope you have a nice day!

Katarina said...

I like these, sounds so delicious!

Becki's Whole Life said...

These sure sound delicious. Sometimes its nice to have an easy go-to recipe like this - even if it's not your favorite.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Pumpkin is the clincher here that's for sure Mary, but then cinnamon is up there too.

That Girl said...

I do love anything pumpkin flavored!

Ashling said...

That sounds way too yummy & decadent....

Ben said...

Cinnamon chips...I love it, Mary. These look wonderful!

Ben
http://kissthecook-ben.blogspot.com/

Rita said...

Looks so good; love that it is not too sweet. I am looking all over for cinnamon chips ; so far...no luck.
Rita

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I only just discovered Cinnamon Chips a while back, and thought they were a very nice alternative to the typcial chocolate. What a great combination in this recipe -- a grown up Halloween treat!

lena said...

mary, i've seen so many great wonderful pumpkin recipes for the past 2 weeks , this is just another one!! happy halloween!!

JasmyneTea said...

Pumpkin is one of my favourite ingredients, and I love what you've done with it here :)

What's Baking?? said...

Hi Mary, this Halloween brings lots of recipe with pumpkin as the main ingredient. I've never tried a pumpkin recipe and yours sure looks tempting. You've inspired me to try out pumpkin dessert. Very nice.

Chiara said...

Looks so good Mary! have a great Sunday....

Anonymous said...

These looks great! What do you use for cinnamon chips? I haven't seen those in stores, do you make them yourself?

Have a blessed day!

The Path Traveled said...

Mary, another wonderful recipe! You are such a great cook and I appreciate all the time you take in your blog to share your Delicious recipes.

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

fabulous recipe!

Gloria Baker said...

Look ans sounds amazing Mary! gloria

Unknown said...

Oh, these look so moist and delicious. I need to track down cinnamon chips, I've had a hard time finding them out here.

Clint said...

Dang! I wish I'da' had a few of these last night! Before bed I had a rare Sweet Attack and got into the Halloween candy.

Nisrine said...

Delicious pumpkin squares. Love the texture.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Jeannie, I was unable to connect to your blog, so I thought I'd reply here. It's funny how different folks react to sweet and sour flavors. If you cut the sugar to 1 cup and you add nuts to the bars I think you and all who prefer less sweet desserts will enjoy these as well. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is so funny! Most toddlers first word is "no!!! Followed by Mine and Have. Now where does the Taxi come in?

Choclette said...

Well given you did your level best to put us off this one, I am now fascinated to know what cinnamon chips are? I've made pumpkin cake before and it worked really well, but now I want cinnamon chips!

Anonymous said...

I prefer my desserts not overly sweet so this would be perfect for me!

Ryan said...

These look so good, especially with the cinnamon chips. I love that they are on the cakey side-- that is how I like bar desserts! Looks delicious!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I had to giggle through your post...I think we all have those go-to recipes that may not be our absolute favorites, but still quick and darn good. Thanks for sharing...I can't get enough of pumpkin this time of year!

Chelsea said...

Oh, I love how different this is from the usual pumpkin treats! Sounds so delicious!

Amalia said...

These look wonderful! I love anything with pumpkin and I think the cinnamon is a nice touch to it :)

Sue/the view from great island said...

I can't imagine anything that would put me off a pumpkin recipe. These look yummy!

Joanne said...

the cinnamon chips in this must be amazing! They're so hard to find around here, unfortunately, but when I do, I'm totally making this cake!

Purabi Naha said...

These look super-yummy. The picture is gorgeus!! I love pumpkin squares anytime.

Unknown said...

These sound scrumptious! I like that you reduced the sugar. Hope you had a good weekend. Happy Halloween!

Quay Po Cooks said...

Mary, this looks SO delicious. Cinnamon and pumpkin goes really well.

Rachana said...

That looks so delicious. Have a great day.

http://blog.giallozafferano.it/frogghina/ said...

ciao,ti ringrazio per aver visitato il mio blog,ti faccio i complimenti per la varieta'delle tue ricette, molto gustose,brava!

Tanna said...

Pumpkin recipes are my favorite for fall. Just home from a visit with my grands in VA. The Little Man and I made a pumpkin roll (which he LOVED) and a pumpkin crisp for his momma to take to their life group. Love the smell of pumpkin and the spices that make it a perfect fall food. Happy to have this one to add to our collection. Taxi and yes!! Only you, Mary! ;) blessings ~ tanna

rossella said...

Many tanks Mary for your comment on my blog!!!! (my english is no too good, but I hope to write here sometimes!!)

Unknown said...

I'm loving all these pumpkin treats Mary! kisses!

Claudia said...

I am more savory than sweet - but you didn't scare me. These are the perfect things to bring during autumn gatherings. It's the cinnamon chips that convinced me.

David said...

Mary, These look and sound terrific! Pumpkin and cinnamon...how can anyone go wrong?! Thanks and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Monet said...

Hi Mary. Yes, this is such a busy time of year. But these treats look perfect. They make me want to slow down and enjoy. Thank you for sharing, sweet friend! I hope you are having a Happy Halloween. Thank you for making mine a bit sweeter (now I just need to get some candy!) Much love from Austin.

Abby said...

I want to eat these so much! I absolutely love pumpkin and pecan. However, I've never seen cinnamon chips. Is there any possible substitute?

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