Pumpkin Squares and The World Series

Published October 30, 2016

Pumpkin Squares

With the Indians getting ready to take on the Chicago Cubs tonight, I have been thinking a lot about these pumpkin squares. In their own way, they may have had a role in helping the Indians go to the World Series in 1997. OK, that may be stretching it a bit. But they did help them win at least a few games. At least according to some….

My friend, Mary Buynak, fell in love with these the first time I made them for her. Her husband, Cy, worked for the Cleveland Indians back then. He managed the visiting team clubhouse and Mary would bake for the visiting team. The Detroit Tigers were in Cleveland for a weekend series and Mary made these for them. The Tigers ate them up, so Mary made more. A lot more…

We swept the Tigers that weekend. Mary felt all that cream cheese frosting had made the Tiger players a little slower than usual. She felt, that in a small way, her pumpkin squares had helped Cleveland to win that weekend. She even mentioned it to Mike Hargrove, the manager at the time.

I like that. It made my mom smile, for sure. She was a big Indians fan. When we had these at Thanksgiving dinner later that year, we were sure to tell our Michigan relatives about it. From that point on, the pumpkin squares were always known as the food of the losers. Wish I knew how to get a batch to the Cubs.

So here is the recipe. Maybe bake up a batch and enjoy them while watching the game. Play Ball!!!

Pumpkin Squares

1 c. sugar
½ c. oil
16 oz. cooked pumpkin, canned, fresh (preferred) or frozen
4 eggs, beaten
2 c. biscuit mix (homemade or Bisquick or Jiffy Mix)
2 t. cinnamon
½ c. raisins, optional
Grease a jelly roll pan and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat first 4 ingredients for 1 minute. Stir in mix, cinnamon and raisins. Pour in prepared pan and bake 25-30 minutes. Test for doneness with a toothpick. Cool and frost. Frosted cake must be kept refrigerated between servings.

Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese
2/3 c. butter
2 T. milk
2 t. vanilla
3 c. powdered sugar, or more
Beat together until smooth.

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