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Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate fall treat, blending pumpkin, warm spices, and creamy frosting for a tasty dessert. Perfect for family gatherings, holiday parties, or an after-dinner indulgence, this easy-to-follow recipe suits any skill level. The aroma of pumpkin filling your kitchen is just divine! Ideal for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or Christmas, these bars are also great for potlucks or tailgates, so consider doubling the batch and freezing some for later!
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Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pumpkin bars
Servings: 24
Calories: 220kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

Ingredients

For the Bars

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F/175°C. Grease a 10 x 15 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, you'll want to have enough paper over the edges so you can easily remove the bars after cooking.
  • In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon, then set aside.
    2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, oil, brown and granulated sugar, pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth. Then, pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and use either a mixer or a whisk until combined, the batter will be thick.
    3 large eggs, ⅔ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 15 ounces pumpkin puree, ¼ cup whole milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake until the center springs back when it's gently pressed, approximately 25 - 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and place your pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat unsalted butter and cream cheese until smooth, then add confectioner's sugar and vanilla extract, and, using an electric mixer, mix until creamy and smooth. Tip: Place the cheese frosting in the fridge for 30 minutes so it 'sets' a little and is easier to use and cut; however, you don't have to do this.
    ½ cup unsalted butter, 8 ounces cream cheese, 3 cups confectioners sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • When the base has cooled completely, carefully remove it from the pan, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top, and dust lightly with cinnamon and any preferred sprinkles. Cut into even bars, serve, and enjoy!
    Sprinkles

Notes

  • Pumpkin Puree or Pumpkin Pie Filling: Be sure to grab pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling contains added spices and sugar, which can make your bars overly sweet.
  • Use Fresh Spices: Fresh spices make a huge difference. If your pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon has been sitting in the pantry for years, consider getting a new batch for maximum flavor.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature before you start. This helps them mix more smoothly and evenly into the batter and frosting.
  • Parchment Paper: Lining your pan with parchment paper makes it much easier to lift the bars out once they’ve cooled. It also helps prevent sticking, so you get clean, perfect slices every time.
  • Mixing: When mixing the wet and dry ingredients, don’t overmix. Stir until just combined to keep your bars tender and avoid a dense texture.
  • Don’t Skip the Cooling: Letting the bars cool completely is crucial before frosting. If the bars are still warm, the frosting will melt and become messy.
  • Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too runny, add a little more confectioners sugar. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit of milk until you reach the desired consistency.
  • Refrigerating the Frosting: Chilling the frosting for about 30 minutes can make it easier to spread and cut cleanly, especially if you’re making these bars ahead of time.
  • Serving Tip: These bars taste great chilled or at room temperature. If you prefer them warm, let them sit out for about 30 minutes before serving.
  • Customizing: Feel free to add your favorite toppings like chopped nuts, a drizzle of caramel, or a dusting of cocoa powder to make these bars your own.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 3041IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
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