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5.0 from 6 votes

Paul's Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

These classic pumpkin bars are made in a sheet pan and covered in delicious cream cheese frosting. Don’t forget the cinnamon Red Hots to go on top! 

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 24 bars
Calories: 356 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the cake
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 & 2/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup oil I used light olive oil
  • 1/2 cup salted butter melted (1 stick)
  • 1 (15-oz) can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 cups flour spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the frosting
  • 1 batch Cream Cheese frosting

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 11x17 inch pan generously with nonstick spray. Sprinkle a couple teaspoons of flour over the pan, then shake it around the edges and tap the excess into the sink. This keeps your cake from sticking to the pan. 
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together eggs.
  3. Add sugar, oil, melted butter, and pumpkin. Beat well for about 2 minutes until fluffy, scraping down the sides and bottom.
  4. Add the flour but don't stir.
  5. Make a small well in the flour and add the baking soda, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Use a small spoon to blend these in with the flour.
  6. Use the beater to mix in the flour. 
  7. Beat well, scraping sides and bottom.
  8. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth top.
  9. Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out dry, meaning there is no batter on it. 
  10. Cool cake completely.
  11. Meanwhile, make the cream cheese frosting, see this post for all the details. I used 4 cups of powdered sugar, but you can use less if you want a tangier frosting.  
  12. When the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting all over the top, smoothing to the edge. 
  13. Sprinkle the top with Red Hots. (which are sometimes called Imperials, fyi)

Notes

  • This recipe is from my mother-in-law Kris, who got it from her mother (Nana), who I'm guessing adapted it from Better Homes and Garden's.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 356kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 51g (17%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 41mg (14%) Potassium 43mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 41g (82%) Vitamin A 221IU (4%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 31mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 356

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 356kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 51g 17%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Potassium 43mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 41g 82%
Vitamin A 221IU 4%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 31mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.