Bourbon Spiced Pumpkin Bars

I thought I had pumpkin bars down, I have a recipe that each fall my husband requests time and time again. Don’t get me wrong it’s a fine recipe. Then I stumbled upon these little gems! These pumpkin bars did what any good bar recipe should do and that is 2 things: make your house smell yummy and make tummies happy-simple right?

Bourbon Spiced Pumpkin Bars (Adapted from Good Things Catered)

1 c. plus 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. white sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree, drained on a paper towel lined fine strainer
1 egg
2 Tbsp bourbon
1 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting (I used the already prepared kind from the supermarket, but if you prefer the homemade version more power to you!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line and prepare an 8x8 baking pan. (I used a glass 8x8 baking dish so I simply sprayed mine with a little baking spray)

In medium bowl, add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, spices, and salt. Whisk to combine thoroughly and set aside.

In bowl, add egg, sugars, oil, and pumpkin until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. I used a hand mixer, but a stand mixer will work great also. Add bourbon, vanilla and mix to combine.
Hand stir flour mixture into pumpkin mixture until just barely combined.

Spread evenly into prepared pan. Place in oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.