I really enjoyed this recipe because it is simple to put together and it tastes wonderful.  It has some healthier elements added in which I enjoyed, but my husband would prefer it without (oatmeal and pecans).  I adapted this recipe from Heavenly Homemakers, one of my favorite blogs.  At Heavenly Homemakers, she makes it much healthier than I did.  I used granulated sugar and turbinado sugar (Sugar in the Raw) in place of sucanat.  I have never used sucanat but will look for it next time I am in a health food store.  I asked Laura at Heavenly Homemakers about sucanat and she sent me some information about several sweeteners and how to use them.  I found it very helpful.  When I made this recipe I used granulated sugar in the crust and filling and turbinado sugar in the topping.  I also used all purpose flour in the crust instead of whole wheat.  You could use half whole wheat and half all purpose.  

We had this for desert last night and again for breakfast this morning.  This would be a perfect addition to a Thanksgiving menu.  Plus I love that you don't have to shape a pie crust.  You just press this crust into the pan.  

Crust:
1 cup all purpose or whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oats
1/4 cup granulated sugar or sucanat
1/2 cup butter

Filling:
3/4 cup granulated sugar or sucanat
2 cups pumpkin (I used canned, you could use homemade)
1 cup heavy whipping cream or regular whipping cream* 
2 large eggs
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground nutmeg
1/2 t. ground cloves
1/2 t. ground ginger

Topping:
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup sucanat or brown sugar or turbinado sugar

Whipped cream

For Crust: Combine flour, oats, sugar and butter.  Blend with pastry blender until crumbly. Press on bottom of ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

For Filling: Combine sugar, pumpkin, cream, eggs and spices in large mixing bowl.  Beat at medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes; pour over crust.  Bake for 20 minutes.

For Topping: Combine pecans and sugar in a small bowl.  Sprinkle pecan topping over filling.  Continue baking for 20 to 30 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool completely in pan on wire rack.  Cut into bars.  Top with whipped cream.

*original whipping cream was half the price of heavy whipping cream at the store so I used it and it worked just fine

Today I am thankful that God gave me the patience to be an ok Mom even though I did not feel well.

In a house with a two year old and a four year old, there is never a dull moment.  I was cleaning upstairs the other day and realized that I could no longer hear the boys in their room.  I went looking for them and discovered them downstairs in the guest/play room with a carton of ice cream and the ice cream scoop.  They used their kitchen stool to get the ice cream out of the freezer.  They were sitting on the floor behind the chair and working together to scoop the ice cream into a bowl.  They couldn't get the plastic seal off of the carton so they just scooped right through the lid.  

I am thankful that my boys are learning to work together even though they were sneaking ice cream.  I reminded them to ask because sometimes Mommy says yes.  I am also thankful that they can problem solve even though that means they are good at getting into things they shouldn't get into.  

It was a long day today since my two year old did not take a nap, but tonight I am thankful that both my two year old and four year old have been sleeping soundly in their own beds since 8:30.  (Usually our two year old is up later because of his nap)  

Tonight I am thankful for all the things my husband wants me to experience.  He notices everything and always wants to talk and share.  I don't notice the little things and would miss so much if it were up to me.  He asked me to walk outside last night and listen to the wind rustling through the Pin Oak.  We went out into the night air with our baby and two year old and listened to what sounded like ocean waves from our Midwestern porch.  

Today I am thankful that it is Thursday night.  I can relax a little and enjoy having my husband around more over the weekend.  I love my boys, but being a stay at home mom is an exhausting full time job.  I used to look forward to Fridays when I was teaching.  Now I find myself looking foward to the weekend again.  Life slows down a little and I am not the only one who can change diapers, clean up spills, and kiss boo boos.  TGIF.

This recipe is exceptionally good and I was surprised at how easy it is.  I made the batter while preparing dinner and then put them in the oven when we were done eating so that they would be fresh out of the oven for dessert.  We had dinner guests last weekend and they loved it.  I made a double recipe and three out of four of us had seconds.  When you cut the cake with your fork, the inside is a rich molten chocolate.  Need I say more?  This recipe is adapted from Tasty Kitchen.  Delicious with raspberries and homemade whipped cream.

Ingredients

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray 4 custard cups or ramekins with cooking spray and place on cookie sheet.

Microwave chocolate and butter in a large bowl on high for about 1 minute, until butter is melted. whisk until chocolate is also melted.  I stirred and microwaved this longer.  Remember, I made a double recipe so I used twice as much butter and chocolate.

Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour.

Divide between cups.

Bake 13-14 minutes until sides are firm and center is soft. Let stand 1 minute.

I am thankful for my curious 4 year old and his new discoveries.  He is in a mammal study group in his preschool and has been talking a lot about animals.  A couple of weeks ago, I picked him up from preschool and on the way home he asked, "Do mice have meat in them?"  I replied, "Yes, mice have muscles so they have meat in them."  He exclaimed in the most excited little voice, "OOOOOh so cats are meat-eaters."  I couldn't help but laugh a little at his discovery and I love that he is so excited to learn.  

My oldest wanted to be in the picture so you get to see his smiling face.  We  stopped in Sam's today and aside from our usual grocery shopping, we found a few really good deals.  

We bought a flowering cactus and a mum for $2 each.  There was a large selection of potted plants for $2.  We bought a 3-pack of Cars 2 sippy cups for $4.91.  (There is also a princess style.)  Halloween items were on sale so we bought a box of 48 Halloween fruit snacks for $4.81.  

I am thankful for lazy evenings like tonight when the kids go to bed early and I can lounge on the couch watching tv with my husband and baby.