Description
Moist, spiced pumpkin bars topped with rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. A crowd-pleasing fall dessert perfect for potlucks, holidays, or whenever you’re craving pumpkin goodness.
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Bars:
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure the bars don’t stick.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until the mixture is smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the pumpkin purée thoroughly.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger until evenly combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet pumpkin mixture gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars moist and tender.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Make Frosting: While the bars cool, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is fluffy and evenly mixed.
- Frost Bars: Once the pumpkin bars have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Serve: Cut the frosted bars into squares or rectangles and serve. Enjoy your delicious, spiced pumpkin treat!
Notes
- For extra flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the frosting before serving.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Bars freeze well without frosting; add frosting after thawing for best results.
- To make cupcakes, pour batter into lined muffin tins and bake for 18 to 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
