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4.9 from 366 votes

Pumpkin Bars with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Whether you're entertaining or relaxing, this recipe hits the spot.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 15 Servings (9X13-inch pan of bars)
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Pumpkin Bars:
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup neutral-flavored oil like canola, vegetable, avocado, refined coconut (see note for applesauce sub)
  • 1 (15-ounce) (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree/canned pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional, but I love the flavor
Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 8- ounce package cream cheese softened
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream or plain yogurt (see note)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, oil, pumpkin and vanilla until well-combined.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and nutmeg (if using).
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk until the batter is smooth (don't go crazy; just mix until there are no more lumps).
  5. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 25-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top of the bars is set and springs back lightly to the touch.
  6. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
  7. For the frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with a handheld electric mixer, mix together the cream cheese and butter until very smooth and light, 2-3 minutes.
  8. Add the powdered sugar, sour cream, and vanilla. Mix (start on low speed so the sugar doesn't fly everywhere) until combined. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip the frosting for 2-3 minutes until very light and fluffy.
  9. Spread the frosting on the cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a day (maybe longer??).

Notes

  • Substitutions: these bars adapt really well to subbing in some applesauce for that oil! I've never subbed 100% of the oil for applesauce, but I often will use half applesauce, half oil (just filling the liquid measuring cup up with both until I get to 3/4 cup). 
  • Frosting: the sour cream or yogurt is optional in the frosting, but if you haven't tried it, you must! It lends a delicious flavor boost that takes sickly sweet cream cheese frosting and makes it extra special. I don't make cream cheese frosting any other way.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Serving Calories 376kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 46g (15%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 21g (32%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Cholesterol 58mg (19%) Sodium 304mg (13%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 34g (68%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 15Servings (9X13-inch pan of bars)

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Serving
Calories 376kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 46g 15%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 21g 32%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 58mg 19%
Sodium 304mg 13%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 34g 68%

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