CHOCOLATE WALNUT PUMPKIN SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch-square baking pan.
• Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt together; set aside.
• Cream six tablespoons of butter with the sugar until soft and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each is added. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the pumpkin puree, stir to blend, then stir in the ground walnuts and the vanilla.
• Place in the oven and bake about 40 minutes, until the cake is nicely browned and springs back to the touch. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely, then remove from the pan before icing.
• To ice the cake, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or over very low heat. Stir in two tablespoons of butter and allow to cool to room temperature. Beat until smooth, then stir in the cream and rum. Spread the icing on the top of the cake and sprinkle with the chopped walnuts. Cut into 16 squares before serving.