Pumpkin Bars with Bacon Fat Shortbread Crust

Ingredients

Crust

• 1.5 cups flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup bacon fat

Filling

• 1/2 cup pumpkin
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbs flour
• 2 tbs maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp cardamon

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In the bowl of your electric mixer combine all of your crust ingredients and mix with your paddle attachment on medium speed until the dough is crumbly.   You know it is done when you squeeze it together and it will form a ball but it still appears dry at first glance.
3. Press crust into the bottom of a lightly greased 8x8 baking dish.
4. Bake for 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile whisk together your filling ingredients. After the crust has baked for 10 minutes, remove from oven and pour filling over the top.
6. Place back in the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the filling as set. It should no longer jiggle when you shake the pan.
7. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.
8. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.