It's now the beginning of October here is Wisconsin. There is a cool breeze starting to blow and the trees leaves are turning some beautiful shades of lime green, dark green, bright red, pale yellow and orange. I love this time of year it reminds me of growing up on our Early 1900's hobby farm. My Mom owned her own business called the "Corn Crib" and us three Girls and younger Brother helped my Mom and Dad every year create a blast from the past Fall experience for the community. My Father planted every spring, Indian corn, miniature Indian corn, miniature pumpkins, big pumpkins, and gourds of all types. My Mom and Dad purchased a team of Percheron horses. "John" and "Gene." They were the main attraction. Head Start, 4-H Groups and Families from the community would come out to enjoy the horse drawn hay rides through the fields of pumpkin patches and corn fields. Our old Barn was lovely clean and decorated with scenes of pumpkin people dressed in vintage clothing on antique props. The people's favorite pumpkin person was the old grandma on a go-cart. We also had a old Milk house that served as the store. We served pumpkin pie, caramel apples and apple cider. It was a lot of hard work, but we didn't mind we loved what we did and our family was made stronger from it. Time has gone by and us girls grew up and went to college and started families of our own. Mom and Dad sold the horses which was a very sad day for all of us. The "Corn Crib" was no more. But I can look back now and think of what a beautiful experience God had blessed us with...the love of family and our community.
I'm older now and have children of my own to create our memories. It may not be what I experienced but I do love baking and the kids love to enjoy the fall treats I make them.
So here is my favorite pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting that have brought back such wonderful memories. ♥
Pumpkin Bars
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 can pumpkin
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour
Instructions:
Beat eggs, add sugar, oil and pumpkin and mix well. Mix in dry ingredients.
Pour into greased baking dish. Bake at 350° for 35 min.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 oz. cream cheese - room temp.
6 Tbs. butter - room temp.
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbs. milk
2 cups powdered sugar.
Mix a spread on cooled Bars.
Enjoy!
