Maple Pumpkin Bars

The other week day I was flipping through my mom's November issue of Better Homes and Garden when I stumbled across this ad.

Some people may think it's morbid, but I thought it was so funny and smart. I couldn't help but want to make these bars because I couldn't get this ad out of my head. 

They were actually more difficult than the ad leads you to believe, but the end result was so worth it I can't even really complain. 

Maple Pumpkin Pie Bars

Mix 1 box yellow cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a lined and greased 13x9 pan. This will form your crust

Beat together 8oz cream cheese, 1 can pumpkin, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 package Jello instant pudding pumpkin spice flavor, and 3 eggs. Once smooth pour this mixture evenly on top of the crust. 

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick can come out clean. Warning: mine took closer to 60 minutes, but I do have an older oven. 

When done transfer to wire racks to cool completely. About 45 minutes. 

Beat together 1 envelope DREAM WHIP topping, 1/3 cup milk, and 3 TB maple syrup. The recipe says to do it until stiff peaks form, but that was taking too long so I just went until some form of a peak appeared. WARNING: The topping will splatter, so make sure you aren't wearing your brand new dry clean only shirt, not that I did that or anything. 

Cover your bars with the topping and sprinkle with ground cinnamon (optional) 

I was really worried that these would be too sweet to eat, but because the maple is only in the topping it's not over whelming. They are more filling than you'd think though so I'd cut them smaller than you think. I was so, so pleased with how they turned out. I can't wait to try them again!

PS: Can you believe Thanksgiving is just 1 week away!? Where has November gone?