Mom's pumpkin bars are a tasty treat for Halloween

When I think back on Halloween as a kid, I remember the excitement we had every Oct. 31.

We would dress up in costumes, eat way too much candy and it was one night we were allowed to stay out a little bit later.

I also remember Mom making a big pan of pumpkin bars for us to bring to school to share for the Halloween party. Mom's pumpkin bars were the best!

Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs

1 cup oil

2 cups sugar

15 ounces canned pumpkin

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon clove

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix eggs, oil, sugar and pumpkin. Sift rest of ingredients and add to pumpkin mixture. Pour into a greased and floured 12x12x1-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting

6 ounces cream cheese

3/4 stick butter, softened

1 tablespoon cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups powdered sugar

Combine all ingredients and beat until smooth and creamy. Frost cooled bars.

Pumpkin Nut Bread

1 3/4 cups pumpkin

3 1/3 cups flour

3 cups sugar

2/3 cup shortening

2/3 cup water

4 eggs, beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons soda

1/2 teaspoon clove

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix together. Makes three loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. May add dates or nuts, if desired.

Manicotti and Cheese

Serving size: 6

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 medium onion, diced

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/8 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Large jar spaghetti sauce

1 package manicotti noodles, cooked until firm-tender

Brown ground beef and onions. Drain well. Add oregano, Tabasco, salt and pepper. Add eggs and mozzarella cheese. Stir well until mixed. Stuff noodles with meat mixture and lay in rows in 9x13-inch pan to which one-third jar of spaghetti sauce has been added. Pour remaining sauce on top with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

GARY'S TIP: For a spicy aroma, toss dried orange and lemon rinds into your fireplace.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Advice is like castor oil, easy enough to give but difficult to take.