Heavenly Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Autumn whispers its sweet secrets through these delectable pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting that dance between comfort and indulgence.

Warm spices mingle with soft, tender cake-like textures in every delightful bite.

Memories of cozy kitchens and crisp fall afternoons bloom with each slice you savor.

Rich cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious smoothness that perfectly complements the deep, earthy pumpkin flavor.

Baking these treats feels like wrapping yourself in a soft, delicious blanket of seasonal happiness.

Delicate crumbs and smooth frosting promise a moment of pure, unapologetic pleasure.

Bake these bars and watch how quickly they disappear from your serving plate.

Why Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Are Always a Hit

• Pumpkin Bars are a delightful autumn treat that checks all the boxes for home bakers.
• Prepare these bars in under 45 minutes, making them perfect for spontaneous baking sessions with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Kids and adults will love the warm spices and creamy frosting, creating a crowd-pleasing dessert that brings everyone together around the table.
• With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, even novice bakers can confidently create these delectable pumpkin bars without feeling overwhelmed.

What You Need for Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Vegetable Oil: Provides moisture and helps create a soft, tender texture in the bars.
• Pumpkin Puree: Adds rich autumn flavor and creates a moist, dense base for the bars.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the bar's structure.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweeten the bars and help create a tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base structure of the pumpkin bars.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Help the bars rise and create a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Classic pumpkin pie spices that add warm, aromatic flavor to the bars.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, rich base for the frosting.
• Butter: Adds smoothness and richness to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a smooth, spreadable texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the frosting's flavor.

How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Today

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

• Heat oven to 350F (175C)
• Coat 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray
• Optional: Line pan with parchment paper for easy removal

Step 2: Create Pumpkin Batter

• Vegetable oil
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Pumpkin puree
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ground ginger
• Salt

Whisk wet ingredients in large mixing bowl until smooth and well-blended. In separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Slowly fold dry mixture into wet ingredients, stirring gently until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to maintain soft texture.

Step 3: Bake Bars

Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing surface evenly. Slide pan into preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting toothpick into center- it should come out clean. Remove from oven and let bars cool completely in pan.

Step 4: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

• Softened cream cheese
• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese and butter until silky and uniform. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Spread frosting generously over cooled bars. Slice into squares. Serve and enjoy your homemade pumpkin delights!

Kitchen Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, spices, and sugar to ensure the perfect texture and flavor balance in your pumpkin bars.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gently combine wet and dry ingredients just until mixed to prevent tough, dense bars that lose their soft, tender crumb.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick near the center- it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs to indicate perfectly baked bars.
• Chill for Better Frosting: Refrigerate cream cheese frosting for 15-20 minutes before spreading to achieve a smoother, more stable topping that's easier to apply.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust the blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to match your personal taste preferences or create a more intense autumn flavor profile.

Storing Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting the Right Way

• Store leftover pumpkin bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the cream cheese frosting fresh and preventing spoilage.
• Wrap the bars tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Place individual bars in freezer-safe containers or wrap them separately, lasting up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm refrigerated bars briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften the frosting and enhance flavor.

Great Add-Ons for Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Warm spiced chai latte perfectly complements the pumpkin bars with its rich, creamy texture and harmonizing autumn spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
• A smooth caramel macchiato balances the sweet cream cheese frosting, offering a delightful contrast and enhancing the dessert's warm flavor profile.
• Late harvest Riesling brings out the pumpkin's subtle sweetness, with its gentle sweetness and light acidity cutting through the rich frosting.
• Vanilla rooibos tea provides a gentle, warm backdrop that highlights the pumpkin bars' warm spices without overwhelming their delicate flavor.

Fun Ways to Change Up Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Pumpkin Bars: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and create dairy-free frosting using vegan cream cheese and plant-based butter.
• Keto-Friendly Pumpkin Bars: Use almond flour, replace sugar with erythritol or stevia, and make a low-carb cream cheese frosting using sugar-free sweetener.
• Nut-Free Autumn Bars: Skip nuts completely, use sunflower seed flour if needed, and ensure all ingredients are processed in nut-free facilities for those with allergies.

Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Silky pumpkin bars dance with luxurious cream cheese frosting in this seasonal delight. Warm spices and rich textures invite autumn’s comfort, promising a sweet escape that delights with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed

Spices and Leavening Agents:

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by setting the oven temperature to 350F (175C) and preparing a 9×13-inch pan with a light grease coating or parchment paper lining.
2. Create the pumpkin bar base by whisking together liquid oil, both sugar varieties, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large mixing vessel until the mixture achieves a silky consistency.
3. Separately combine the dry ingredients including flour, leavening agents, warming spices, and salt, ensuring an even distribution of elements.
4. Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring with minimal agitation to prevent tough texture development.
5. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to distribute the mixture evenly across the surface.
6. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, monitoring for a clean toothpick test indicating complete cooking.
7. Remove from the oven and allow the baked bars to cool completely within the pan, enabling structural stabilization.
8. Craft the cream cheese frosting by whipping softened cream cheese and butter until achieving a smooth, uniform texture.
9. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, blending until the frosting develops a light, airy consistency.
10. Once the bars have reached room temperature, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the entire surface.
11. Slice into individual squares, presenting a delectable autumn-inspired dessert ready for enjoyment.

Notes

• Ensure your pumpkin puree is not watery by gently pressing it in a paper towel to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy bars.
• Swap vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a subtle tropical twist or use applesauce for a lower-fat version.
• For gluten-free options, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same soft texture.
• Enhance spice depth by toasting ground spices briefly in a dry skillet before adding to the batter, intensifying their warm, aromatic qualities.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 60mg