{"id":322,"date":"2008-10-30T21:30:14","date_gmt":"2008-10-31T03:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hottie-biscotti.com\/blog\/?p=322"},"modified":"2008-10-30T21:31:19","modified_gmt":"2008-10-31T03:31:19","slug":"pumpkin-ii-pumpkin-cheesecake-bars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hottie-biscotti.com\/blog\/2008\/10\/30\/pumpkin-ii-pumpkin-cheesecake-bars\/","title":{"rendered":"Pumpkin Week Part II: Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I am a fan of plain cheesecake. \u00a0Just the creamy filling and buttery crumbly graham cracker crust. \u00a0That is all I need. \u00a0No fruit, no chocolate, no caramel and absolutley NO fake strawberry goo. \u00a0What is that stuff anyway? \u00a0I do happen to like pumpkin cheesecake, so when I found this recipe I was pretty excited. \u00a0This recipe is a Betty Crocker prize winner <\/a>for 2008 and uses a Betty Crocker oatmeal cookie mix in the base. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Other than that everything else is from scratch. \u00a0A drizzle of caramel ice cream topping and fudge makes the bars more special and delicious. \u00a0I didn’t warm up the hot fudge before drzzling, so it came out of my ziploc bag in globs instead of a nice stream. \u00a0Oops!<\/p>\n

I ate one before I chilled the bars and it was good. \u00a0I ate another little bite after a few hours in the fridge, and it was much better. \u00a0These would be a good alternative to pumpkin pie…or a good addition! \u00a0You can’t have too many desserts this time of year, right?<\/p>\n

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I took the bars out of the oven after 30 minutes and it was definitely done. \u00a0I think any longer, in my oven anyway, would have overcooked them.<\/p>\n

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The streusel topping is very good. \u00a0I like the addition of pecans and gingersnaps a lot. \u00a0They give a great flavor and extra crunch to the cookie base.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Cookie Base<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

1<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker\u00ae oatmeal cookie mix<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

1\/2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

cup crushed gingersnap cookies<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

1\/2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

cup finely chopped pecans<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

1\/2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

cup cold butter or margarine<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filling<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

1<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

cup sugar<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

1<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

tablespoons Gold Medal\u00ae all-purpose flour<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

1<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

tablespoon pumpkin pie spice<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

tablespoons whipping cream<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

eggs<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toppings<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

1\/3<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

cup chocolate topping<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

1\/3<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

cup caramel topping<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/tbody>\n
1.<\/strong><\/td>\nHeat oven to 350\u00b0F. In large bowl, stir together cookie mix, crushed cookies and pecans. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture is crumbly. Reserve 1 cup mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture in bottom of ungreased 13×9-inch pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.<\/strong><\/td>\nMeanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add remaining filling ingredients; beat until well blended. Pour over warm cookie base. Sprinkle with reserved topping.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.<\/strong><\/td>\nBake 35 to 40 minutes or until center is set. Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.<\/strong><\/td>\nBefore serving, drizzle with chocolate and caramel toppings. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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