Description
Deliciously moist pumpkin bars topped with a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting. These bars combine warm autumn spices with a rich, velvety frosting, making them the perfect treat for fall gatherings or any dessert craving.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bars:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and pumpkin purée until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and ground cinnamon ensuring even distribution.
- Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet pumpkin mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can make the bars dense.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Bars: Allow the pumpkin bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, which helps the frosting adhere better.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat together softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and fluffy using an electric mixer, then add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and continue beating until creamy.
- Frost Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars with a spatula.
- Serve: Cut into 16 squares and serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
- The bars can be made a day ahead and refrigerated to enhance flavors.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and butter with dairy-free alternatives.
- Optional toppings: add chopped pecans or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
