Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Cooling Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 40 mins
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Servings
18
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Calories
299 kcal
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Course
Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Description
This recipe features a batter made from vegetable oil, eggs, sugars, pumpkin puree, and a blend of warm spices including cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, creating a flavorful pumpkin base. Leavening with baking powder and baking soda yields tender bars with a fine crumb. Baking in a 10x15-inch pan results in thinner bars; alternatively, baking in a 9x13 pan will yield thicker bars requiring more baking time.
Once fully cooled, the bars are topped with a cream cheese frosting made from softened cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. This frosting adds a creamy and slightly tangy contrast to the warmly spiced pumpkin layer. Optional sprinkles provide a decorative touch.
The bars are suited for holiday gatherings or everyday dessert, offsetting the sweetness with distinctive pumpkin pie spices. Because of the frosting, refrigeration is recommended to maintain freshness and texture.
Adjusting the spice quantities can customize the depth of flavor, dialing back cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to taste.
Ingredients
Bars
- 1 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
- 4 egg large
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar packed
- pumpkin puree one 15-ounce can
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon or to taste* (See Notes)
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice or to taste* (See Notes)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 baking powder 1/2 teaspoons
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Frosting* (See Notes)
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature, full-fat block-style
- ¼ cup butter softened to room temperature, unsalted
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar or as needed; sifted if yours is particularly lumpy
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- Sprinkles optional, as desired for garnishing
Instructions
Make the Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350F and spray a nonstick 10x15-inch jelly roll pan with cooking spray; set aside. Note - You could make this recipe in a 9x13-inch pan noting that the bars will be thicker and take a bit longer to bake.
- To a large bowl, add the oil, eggs, sugars, pumpkin, vanilla, molasses (technically can be omitted but I love the flavor and recommend it), cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and whisk well to combine until smooth.
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and stir until just combined; don't overmix.
- Turn batter out into prepared pan and bake approximately 30 minutes, or until bars are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no batter. Start checking on your bars by 22-25 minutes since all ovens vary.
- Allow bars to cool in the pan for 1 hour, or until cool to the touch, before frosting them. Don't add frosting to warm bars or it will melt.
- While bars are cooling, make the frosting.
Make the Frosting:
- To the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl and handheld electric mixer, add the cream cheese, butter, and beat for about 2 minutes, or until well combined and smooth. Tip - Make sure the both are well softened to room temp otherwise it will be much harder to mix them.
- Add 3 cups confectioners' sugar, vanilla, salt (helps balance the sweetness of the frosting), and beat first on low speed, and then on high for about 2 minutes, or until combined and fluffy. Tips - I don't sift my confectioners' sugar generally speaking but that being said, it will be harder for your mixer to smooth out the little lumps and so if you want perfectly smooth frosting, sift your sugar before adding it. If you want thicker frosting, add an extra 1/4 to 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar.
- Evenly spread the frosting over the bars, using a knife or spatula to smooth it.
- Optionally, garnish with sprinkles to taste (I used some I found in my box of sprinkles that I bought years ago from Target) and serve.
Notes
- Adjust spices to taste; reduce cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice quantities for a milder flavor.
- For convenience, store-bought cream cheese frosting can be used instead of making homemade frosting.
- Store frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week; unfrosted bars can be stored at room temperature for five days or refrigerated for one week.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 18Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 299 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 299kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 51g | 17% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Cholesterol | 61mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 293mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 38g | 76% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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