Pumpkin Cranberry Bars

Today my Dad turns 92!  I made these Pumpkin Cranberry Bars for the staff that takes such good care of him in the nursing home.  He has dementia, and thinks that I am his sister, Ruby.  It's not easy to go and see him, because the man sitting in the wheel chair is only the shell of the person that was the father I knew.  He used to live and breathe sports, and now you mention, St. Louis Cardinals, and it doesn't even register. So Sad.   My only consolation is that he is content where he is, at the nursing home, and all of the staff love him. He loves to watch the birds at the bird feeders and imitate birds sounds.  Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you!

I made him a big chocolate cupcake, (picture to come later), and I always bring him Mac Donald's coffee, which he loves.  He had a friend who used to bring him Mac Donald's coffee every week, but sadly Delbert passed away.  So now I bring the Mac Donald's coffee, when I come.  Simple pleasures when you are 92.  I will also bring picture's of my son's wedding, and see if he can recognize his family.

I knew when I saw Emily's Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars@Cleanliness is Next to Godliness I knew that I had to make them. They were a healthier version of my old pumpkin bar recipe.  I added more Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream, and dried cranberries for a little contrast.  Also these bars had part whole wheat flour, and less fat.  The bars were very moist , full of pumpkin flavor, and spices, a perfect complement to the dried cranberries, several of the flavors of Thanksgiving in one bar.  I used the 15x10x1 pan.  Now instead of a cream cheese frosting or glaze, I did a few lines of vanilla and chocolate glaze, just something simple for a 92 year old's birthday!

You can make these Pumpkin Cranberry Bars just because it's November, and almost halfway to Thanksgiving,  someone has a birthday, or just because you can never have enough pumpkin recipes. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cranberry Bars

Adapted from: Better Homes and Gardens and Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Ingredients :

½ cup butter, softened
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
3/4 cup low fat or non fat vanilla yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans( I didn’t add)

1cup. dried cranberries

 Directions :

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Using butter or nonstick cooking spray, grease a 15x10x1 baking pan, or a 9x13 baking pan (note: you will add approximately 5 to 10 minutes to your baking time using a 9x13 pan). I used a 15x10x1 pan.
3. Using an upright mixer or a hand mixer beat the butter for 30 seconds. Add the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, beating until the mixture becomes fluffy, approximately 1 minute.
4. Add the eggs, pumpkin, yogurt, and vanilla, beating until combined, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Slowly add the all-purpose and whole wheat flours, beating until combined.
6. Using a spatula, fold in the nuts, if used and dried cranberries
7. Spread the mixture evenly into a greased baking pan and back for about 25 minutes (for the 15x10x1 pan), or until a toothpick comes out clean.