When I was home this past Christmas break, I found an old journal from 2008--junior year of college. I had written about a day I had completely forgotten until I read about it--I couldn't believe it! It was so impactful now that I've been reminded.
I was running (literally, working up a sweat to Dwinelle--just to the left of Sather Gate, shown above!) late to my daily 8am Spanish class and realized the computer lab where I usually print my papers wasn't open that early. So I rushed into the nearest copy center to pay an exorbitant amount to print 2 pages, but I feared my intense Spanish professor, so it was worth it. Actually, what followed made it fully worth it.
When I approached the cashier to pay, I noticed he looked...sad--not just a disgruntled look of being the only one at work so early, but distinctly sad. When I smiled, he asked, "Do you really think there is something to be thankful for every day?" Surprised, all I could say was, "Yeah, I really do," and ran straight to class. But I thought about his question all day, and when I got home, I asked my roommate, "Is it really weird if I go drop off cookies to him tomorrow? He just seemed so sad.." Looking back, maybe I shouldn't have asked one of my best friends who supports me in everything. Glad she did though!
I wrapped some pumpkin bars and attached a note that read, "I truly believe we have reason to be thankful each day. May you be blessed this Thanksgiving," and dropped in on my way to Spanish. When I got to the copy center, I didn't see him and ran to Spanish (late again) and figured it just meant I shouldn't be such a creepy stranger. But I went back after class (after some nervous pacing outside the store), and this time he was at the cash register again! Upon handing him the cookies, he flashed a huge smile, looked at me and said, "God bless."
So one of my hopes in starting a blog about baking is really to record the stories that go along with each recipe, because my favorite part of baking is that it is a way to bless others and give a piece of my heart. Cheesy much?
Anyway, here is the recipe for what I gave that man at the copy center. They are my FAVORITE fall/pumpkin baked good! They are also healthier (and fluffier!) than most comparable recipes, because they use egg whites, a lot of pumpkin, and minimal oil. I don't usually like to repeat recipes, but THESE I've probably made at least 9 or 10 times, playing with the sugar proportions each time.
Pumpkin Bars (consistency of a light banana bread)
adapted from Lovin' From the Oven
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 t baking powder
- 2 t ground cinnamon
- 1 t baking soda
- 1/4 t salt
- 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
- 2 cup canned pumpkin
- 4 slightly beaten egg whites
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup water
Directions
- Spray a 9x13 baking pan with nonstick coating; set aside.
- Combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl. Stir in pumpkin, egg whites, oil, and water until thoroughly combined. Spread batter into prepared pan.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool.
