Pumpkin Squares

Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Book of Desserts

To sweeten, add chocolate chips or the maple glaze, below

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup pumpkin purée
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8- or 9-inch baking pan.

With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and well-blended. Beat in the egg. Add the vanilla and pumpkin purée and continue to beat until thoroughly mixed. 

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and allspice, and stir them into the pumpkin mixture to form a smooth batter. Fold in the chopped walnuts [and chocolate chips, if using] by hand.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool for about 15 minutes before cutting into squares. [If glazing, wait until squares are mostly cool, then glaze and let glaze set slightly before cutting.]

Optional maple glaze

Adapted from livewellbakeoften.com

• 
  
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 1/2 teaspoon pure maple syrup

• 1 1/2 teaspoon milk (or as needed)

Mix together the ingredients for the glaze in a small bowl. If the glaze is a little too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out a little.