Thanksgiving Recipes

Tradition with a Twist

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Carrot Bars

Try this healthy and delicious pumpkin recipe from the folks at Suite101.com. These delicious pumpkin cream cheese carrot bars are low in fat and calories, and they contain "superfoods" - pumpkin, walnuts, and carrots. Serve them for dessert or breakfast with sliced bananas for added flavour and nutrition.

Ingredients:
4 oz. whipped or low-fat cream cheese
1/8 cup orange juice
1-1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree
1 cup shredded carrots

Method:
Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and orange juice together. Set aside.

Mix flours, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder and baking soda in a small bowl. In a large mixing bowl, cream together white and brown sugars and butter. Beat eggs, egg whites, pumpkin puree and shredded carrots into the sugar-butter mixture. Add dry ingredients, mixing until moistened.

Pour into the prepared pan. Using a teaspoon, drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture over batter. Swirl with a knife, until you get a marbled effect. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Makes 36 bars.

Per serving: Calories: 97, Total Fat: 3 g (saturated fat: 2 g), Cholesterol: 18 mg, Sodium: 80 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Protein: 2 g, Vitamin A: 42%, Vitamin C: 2%, Calcium: 3%, Iron: 4%

Copyright Stephanie Gallagher
http://healthycooking.suite101.com/article.cfm/pumpkin_cream_cheese_carrot_bars