So you’re craving a yummy fall treat after dinner, but can’t decide on what to make. Here’s an easy healthy pumpkin dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Instead of a run-of-the-mill bowl of ice cream or slice of leftover chocolate cake from Grandma’s birthday, indulge your creativity in a fresh and new recipe.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 eggs, beaten
1 16 oz. can pumpkin
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 cup cooking oil
1-3 oz. package of cream cheese
1/4 cup margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Pumpkin square preparation:
Step 1: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Combine beaten eggs, pumpkin, sugar and oil, stirring until well mixed.

Step 3: Add dry ingredients, and mix together until smooth.

Step 4: Spread batter into an ungreased baking pan

Step 5: Bake in oven for 25-35 minutes

Step 6: Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting

Cream cheese frosting:
Step 1: Beat together cream cheese, margarine and vanilla until fluffy.

Step 2: Add powdered sugar, beating until smooth.

Step 3: Spread cream cheese frosting over cooled cake.

Step 4: Cut the sheet into four by four squares.

To spice up your dessert, you can sprinkle your favorite nuts or add candy corn to the top like I did. When the pumpkin bars have cooled off or set in the refrigerator, dig in!

For more teen-friendly sweet treats visit, How to: Toasted ice cream sandwich or How to: Tasty peanut butter s’mores.