Description
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, spiced bars with a luscious frosting, perfect for fall gatherings and cozy nights at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (optional for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- Mix pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil in a large bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- For the frosting, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla extract and milk (if desired), until frosting reaches the desired consistency. Spread over the cooled bars.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense bars.
- Ensure the bars are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Fresh spices provide the best flavor in this recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: pumpkin bars, cream cheese frosting, pumpkin dessert, fall pumpkin bars, easy pumpkin bars, pumpkin dessert bars