Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

2 cups

sugar

1 cup

butter (2 sticks), at room temperature

2 cups

canned pumpkin (one 15 ounce can)

eggs, at room temperature

2 cups

flour

2 tsp

baking soda

1 tsp

cinnamon

1 tsp

nutmeg

1 tsp

allspice

1 tsp

ginger

1 tsp

ground cloves

1/2 tsp

salt

6 oz

cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup

butter, at room temperature

2 tsp

vanilla

4 cups

powdered sugar, sifted to remove lumps

Candy pumpkins, optional, to garnish*