Cook From Scratch {Day 5}

This is the fifth post in my 31 Days of Living on Less Series. If you’d like to read all the posts in order, go to Day 1.
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Another (probably rather obvious) way to save money is by cooking from scratch. Rather than paying for packaging, you can buy the ingredients in bulk, which is a much better deal. Just for fun, I decided to share one of my favorite fall recipes (in case you don’t already have a recipe for pumpkin bars!). 
We stocked up on canned pumpkin months ago when we found it at an Amish discount grocery store, so there’s plenty in our pantry right now.
Favorite Pumpkin Bars

Ingredients:
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (we use coconut oil)
  • 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (I use unbleached)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom and sides of a jelly roll pan with butter or coconut oil. (Recommended pan size is 15.5 x 10.5 x 1 inch.)
  2. Beat together the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin in a large bowl until smooth.
  3. Stir in flour and remaining dry ingredients.
  4. Spread batter in the pan.
  5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown. 
  6. Cool completely in pan on wire rack, about 2 hours.
  7. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.
  8. Cut into bars and store covered in refrigerator.
Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
  • 1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
Directions: 
  1. Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, on low speed until smooth and spreadable.
Notes:  We usually double the frosting, especially if we’re taking these somewhere. If we’re making it for ourselves, we usually just use the original (smaller) amount.
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In addition to baked goods, I also make many of my own mixes, chicken stock (in the crock pot!), salad dressing, granola, vanilla, granola bars, applesauce, and so much more!

Here are a few of my favorite resources for cooking from scratch:

8 Comments

  1. Yum! Those pumpkin bars look awesome!! I'm pretty sure my family would not object if I made those! 😉 I was wondering if you had heard of the Prudent Homemakers blog? She has a website as well. She knows very well what it's like to live on a reduced income. She has many wonderful recipes and ideas for her readers. You should check it out (if you haven't already).

    ~Angela

    Reply

    1. Yes! How could I have forgotten about the Prudent Homemaker?! I am familiar with her blog, but I haven't visited there in awhile. Now that I'm actively looking for ways to save money, I need to go check out her ideas again. Thanks so much for the reminder!

      Reply

  3. I think I better carve out a little time today to make those AMAZING pumpkin bars. Thanks for sharing your recipe. 🙂
    Isn't it tender of the Lord, that you would have an abundance of those ingredients to make a special treat for your family during this lean time? ( See 1 Peter 5:7)
    Warmly,
    Carol

    Reply

    1. Mmmm, I think they're so good! Yes, you're so right–the Lord is so kind to take care of us, even providing for special treats and non-necessities! 🙂

      Reply

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