Dessert Recipes : Pumpkin Shortbread Bars

Serve 6 - 8

Crust:

1 package yellow cake mix
1 egg
One half cup butter melted

Combine all 3 ingredients and press along the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

Topping:

1 8-oz. package cream cheese
1 15-oz. can pumpkin
2 eggs
1 and one half tsp. vanilla
One half cup butter
1 16-oz. package confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
One half tsp. nutmeg
One third cup crushed pecans

Beat cream cheese and pumpkin together until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla and butter and continue beating. Add sugar and spices and mix well. Spread mixture over cake batter crust and sprinkle with pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Allow bars to cool and then place in the refrigerator until set (middle will not be set when taken out of the oven). Cut into bars and serve with whipped topping if desired.

Tips : Use light cream cheese and your favorite egg and sugar substitutes.