Pumpkin Pie Bars . . .

A good way to enjoy the taste of pumpkin pie without not as much fuss. What better way to have 'pumpking pie' than a version you can eat out of hand? Pumpkin Pie Bars 3/4 cup butter - no substitutes, divided 2/3 cup granulated sugar, divided 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Dash nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup pumpkin 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cream 1/2 cup butter, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Blend in 1 cup of the flour and mix. Press the dough into the bottom of a 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for approximately five minutes. Remove from oven. Turn oven down to 350 degrees. Combine 1/2 cup flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Combine eggs, brown sugar, pumpkin, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir into the dry ingredients and nuts. Spread over the partially-baked crust. Combine remaining 1 cup flour and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Cut in the 1/4 cup butter until mixture looks like rough crumbs. Sprinkle over the pumpkin layer. Continue baking 25-30 minutes. Cut into serving-size bars after it has cooled. Cookie bars can be set out for easy grabbing or presented on a pretty dessert plate and dressed up with whipped cream.