Praline Pumpkin Dessert Bars

It's been a while since I shared a recipe. This is the best pumpkin dessert I've ever eaten, and it's SO easy. The bottom layer is like pumpkin pie, the top layer is sweet/salty praline crunchy goodness. It's to die for. Oh, sure, it's chock-full of calories, but it's the holidays!!! Credit goes to Betty Crocker for the recipe.

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 package golden vanilla cake mix
1.5 cups chopped pecans, *toasted
3/4 cup melted butter
whipped cream (opt.)

Heat oven to 350. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9 pan. Beat pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and pumpkin pie spice in medium bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Pour into pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle with pecans. Pour melted butter evenly over top of dessert.

Bake 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool slightly. Serve warm with whipped cream, if desired. Store covered in fridge. 12 servings.

*To toast pecans, bake at 425 until they start to turn brown (about five minutes), but watch carefully, they burn quickly! Or you can toast them in a dry frying pan.