Description
These moist and fluffy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect fall dessert. Packed with warm spices, creamy frosting, and easy-to-make ingredients, they’re a go-to treat for holiday parties, Thanksgiving, or a cozy autumn weekend. Make-ahead friendly and crowd-pleasing—these pumpkin bars are a must-try dessert bar recipe!
Ingredients
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
8 oz cream cheese softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
3. In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
4. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
6. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
8. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy.
9. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in vanilla extract.
10. Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars.
11. Optionally top with candy pumpkins or cinnamon sprinkles.
12. Slice into squares and serve!
Notes
For best results, use room temperature cream cheese and butter.
Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bars soft.
Let the bars cool fully before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg