If you are looking for a cozy, flavorful treat that embodies the essence of fall, this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is an absolute must-try. Imagine tender, moist pumpkin bars bursting with warm spices and topped with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. Whether you need a festive dessert for family gatherings or a comforting snack to enjoy with your afternoon tea, these pumpkin bars deliver on taste, texture, and that beautiful golden color that screams autumn. Trust me, once you’ve made this recipe, it will become one of your go-to sweet treats for the season!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a pantry full of fancy items to create these dreamy pumpkin bars. The ingredients are simple, wholesome, and each plays a key role in ensuring your bars come out perfectly textured, flavorful, and beautifully spiced.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness while helping to create a tender crumb.
- Brown sugar: Gives a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and keeps the bars moist.
- Vegetable oil: Ensures the bars stay super moist without heaviness.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
- Pumpkin purée: The star of the show — brings natural moisture, beautiful color, and authentic pumpkin flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the batter and provides the right texture.
- Baking powder: Helps the bars rise and become light.
- Baking soda: Reacts with the acid in pumpkin and brown sugar for additional lift.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Pumpkin pie spice: A warm blend of spices that makes each bite feel like fall in your mouth.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a cozy, sweet spice note that pairs perfectly with pumpkin.
- Cream cheese (softened): Essential for that rich, tangy frosting that crowns the bars.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Makes the frosting silky and smooth without extra saltiness.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to just the right consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the frosting’s flavor with a subtle sweetness.
How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Preheat Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. This step ensures your pumpkin bars won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze. Prepping your workspace now means a smooth baking experience ahead.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and canned pumpkin purée until everything is perfectly smooth. This mixture is the flavor base for your bars, combining the richness of oil and eggs with the sweetness that complements pumpkin’s natural earthiness.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. These dry ingredients create that irresistible fall flavor and provide the lift and structure your bars need. Keep them well mixed so every bite is perfectly seasoned.
Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet pumpkin mixture and stir gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the bars dense, so be gentle here. The batter will be thick and luscious, ready to pour into your prepared pan.
Step 5: Bake the Pumpkin Bars
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The kitchen will start to smell incredible as those spices and pumpkin meld together into pure autumnal magic.
Step 6: Let Bars Cool Completely
After baking, let the bars cool fully in the pan before you frost them. Patience here pays off because warm bars will make your cream cheese frosting melt away rather than stay beautifully creamy.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat together the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat again until the frosting achieves a creamy, spreadable consistency. The frosting is rich and tangy – the perfect partner for pumpkin’s natural sweetness.
Step 8: Frost and Serve
Spread the frosting generously over the cooled pumpkin bars. Cut into squares, and you’re ready to enjoy the best Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe that feels like a hug in dessert form.
How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
While the frosting alone is incredible, garnishing your pumpkin bars can add a new level of texture and flavor. Try sprinkling chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top for crunch. A dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg will elevate the warm spices, or a drizzle of caramel sauce can add a luscious sweetness that complements the tangy frosting beautifully.
Side Dishes
These pumpkin bars shine on their own, but pairing them with a cup of hot coffee, chai tea, or warm apple cider can turn your snack into a cozy ritual. For a brunch spread, serve alongside fresh fruit or yogurt to balance the sweetness with a fresh, light contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
You can dress up this classic dessert in many ways. Try layering the bars in a glass trifle dish with dollops of whipped cream and crushed gingersnaps for a seasonal dessert. Alternatively, cut the bars into fun shapes using cookie cutters for festive presentations at fall parties. Wrapping individual squares in parchment paper tied with twine makes for charming gifts that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying some, store any leftover pumpkin bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay moist and delicious for up to 4 days, making them perfect for quick treats throughout the week. Make sure to keep the frosting covered to prevent it from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, you can freeze these bars either frosted or unfrosted. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to avoid freezer burn. Frozen bars last for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To enjoy the bars warm, reheat individual squares in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. Warming brings out the pumpkin’s fragrant spices and makes the frosting slightly softer and even more irresistible. Just be careful not to overheat or the frosting might melt too much.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin purée?
Yes, but keep in mind fresh pumpkin needs to be cooked and pureed until smooth first. Canned pumpkin purée is convenient and provides consistent texture, so it’s often easier for baking, but fresh pumpkin works well if prepared properly.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Absolutely! All the ingredients in this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe are vegetarian-friendly. If you want to make it vegan, consider swapping eggs, butter, and cream cheese for plant-based alternatives.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s suitable for baking. Just make sure the blend includes xanthan gum or another binder to maintain the bars’ structure and texture.
How spicy are these pumpkin bars?
They have a warm but gentle spice level thanks to the pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. If you prefer a more intense spice flavor, feel free to add a little extra cinnamon or even a pinch of ground ginger or cloves.
What can I use to decorate the bars besides frosting?
In addition to the classic cream cheese frosting, you can dust the bars with powdered sugar, sprinkle chopped nuts, or drizzle melted chocolate or caramel sauce for extra flair. Even a few fresh cranberries or pomegranate seeds add a festive pop of color and brightness.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is such a joyful way to bring the flavors of fall into your home. Its moist texture, cozy spices, and rich frosting make it a crowd-pleaser every time. I’m confident that once you make these bars, they’ll become a cherished tradition and one of your favorite desserts to share with loved ones. So roll up your sleeves, grab your mixing bowl, and let this recipe fill your kitchen with warmth and sweetness!
Print
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Pumpkin Bars topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for fall gatherings or a cozy treat, these bars combine the warm spices of pumpkin pie with a luscious frosting that balances sweetness and tang. Easy to make and sure to impress, they’re a seasonal favorite that’s both comforting and delicious.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and pumpkin purée until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a liquid batter base.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet pumpkin mixture, stirring gently until just combined to form the pumpkin bar batter, taking care not to overmix which could toughen the texture.
- Bake the bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
- Cool the bars: Remove from the oven and allow the pumpkin bars to cool completely in the pan, which will make frosting application easier and prevent melting.
- Make the frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
- Frost the bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars using a spatula or knife.
- Serve: Cut the frosted pumpkin bars into 16 squares and serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Bars can be made a day ahead and refrigerated for convenience and enhanced flavor melding.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and butter with dairy-free alternatives suitable for your dietary needs.
- Optional toppings such as chopped pecans or a sprinkle of cinnamon can be added on top of the frosting for extra texture and flavor.
