GOOEY OATMEAL PUMPKIN BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Today my hubby had a huge exam for his Masters' course, so I decided to bake him something special.
I wanted to make something with the homemade pumpkin puree that I made over the weekend.  This is what I decided to do.  My bars are gooey because there are not any eggs in the recipe.
Recipe adapted from Lovin from the Oven's Pumpkin Bars.

Gooey Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars

1 cup flour

1 cup oats

1/3 cup sugar in the raw

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

pinch salt

1 cup pumpkin puree

2/3 cup fat free greek yogurt

1/4 cup water

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F or 170C.

Spray a medium-size baking pan with nonstick coating.

Combine flour, oats , sugars, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, & salt in a medium bowl.

Stir in pumpkin, yogurt, and water until thoroughly combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool in pan.

Spread frosting on top and DIG IN!

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup 50% fat philly cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar (put more if you want your frosting sweeter)

OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

Yesterday I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars (aka blondies) to take to my sis-in-law's house for dessert because she was so sweet to ask us over for lunch.  I made bars because I was too lazy to make batches of cookies.  Since we are living in Florence, Italy right now, I do not have a big oven, so these even baked up great in the toaster oven! 

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

1 stick of softened or melted butter (113 grams)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup AP flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon (i used 2 teaspoons because we love cinnamon)

2 cups uncooked oats 

1/2 to 3/4 cup of chocolate chips (i used 1/2 cup, use 3/4 cup if you like more chocolate)

Heat oven to 350F (150C).

Mix butter and sugars until sugars disolved. 

Add egg whites and vanilla, mix well.

Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, mix well.

Add oats and chocolate chips, mix well.

Spread into 8 x 4 loaf pan or 6 inch round pan (for thicker bars) or 8 x 8 square pan (for thinner bars).

See HERE for other pan options.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  I had to bake longer in my little toaster oven.  Also, if you want gooey bars, bake for less time. YUM!