Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Deliciously moist and spiced pumpkin bars topped with a creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting. Perfect for fall gatherings, these bars combine warm cinnamon and pumpkin flavors with a rich, tangy frosting for a comforting treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pumpkin Bars
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate large bowl, mix the canned pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vegetable oil until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Combine mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently fold until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the batter light and tender.
- Bake the bars: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare frosting: Allow the bars to cool completely while you prepare the frosting by beating the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until fluffy and creamy.
- Frost and serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars. Slice into squares and serve. Store leftover bars refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Make sure the pumpkin puree is smooth and not chunky for best results.
- Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or canola oil for a different flavor profile.
- For a spicier variation, add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the dry ingredients.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 1/12th of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: pumpkin bars, cream cheese frosting, pumpkin dessert, fall dessert, easy pumpkin recipe
