Description
Delicious and moist pumpkin bars topped with a creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting, perfect for fall gatherings or a sweet treat any time of year. These bars combine warm pumpkin pie spices with a tender crumb, finished with a luscious frosting to elevate the classic pumpkin flavor.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1½ tsp Cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large Eggs
- ⅔ cup Vegetable oil
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- ¼ cup Granulated sugar
- 15 oz Pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup Whole milk
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
Frosting
- ½ cup Unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 8 oz Cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 3 cups Confectioners sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10 x 15 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper leaving enough paper over the edges to easily lift the bars out after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pumpkin puree, whole milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth. This mixture will be wet and rich.
- Make the Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with dry ingredients. Using a whisk or mixer, combine until just mixed and the batter is thick and uniform in texture.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the thick batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 to 30 minutes or until the center springs back when lightly pressed. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners sugar and vanilla extract, then beat with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth. For easier spreading and cutting, chill the frosting in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, though this is optional.
- Frost and Serve: Once the pumpkin bars are completely cooled, carefully lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper edges. Evenly spread the cream cheese frosting over the top of the bars. Optionally dust with cinnamon and decorate with sprinkles. Cut into 24 even bars and serve.
Notes
- Make sure the pumpkin bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Using parchment paper for lining the pan helps in removing bars easily without breaking.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, adjust the pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon according to your taste.
- Chilling the cream cheese frosting makes it easier to spread and helps it set for cleaner slices.
- Store leftover bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
