Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

I never baked with pumpkin before until I made these Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars (recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything).

I made them for a Thanksgiving gathering, and they turned out so delicious!

I'll definitely be baking more of these bars during the holidays!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars (recipe credit The Girl Who Ate Everything)

Filling:

• 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 c sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 t vanilla extract

Batter:

• 1 c canned pumpkin puree
• 1 c sugar
• 1 egg
• ⅓ c vegetable oil
• 1 c flour
• 1½ t pumpkin pie spice 
• 1 t baking powder
• ½ t baking soda
• ½ t salt
• 1 cup chopped pecan pieces

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375° F.
• Create the filling by combining all ingredients until smooth. 
• Create the batter by mixing the pumpkin, sugar, egg and oil in medium mixing bowl.
• Stir in the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 
• Pour the batter into a parchment-lined 9x13 inch baking pan.  
• Pour cream cheese filling over the batter, and cut through with a knife to make a marbled effect.  
• Sprinkle the top with chopped pecans.
• Bake for 25 - 28 minutes.
• Cool and cut into bars.