Nothing says cozy and festive quite like the Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. This classic fall treat combines moist, spiced pumpkin bars with a luscious, creamy frosting that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just indulging yourself, these bars deliver a perfect balance of flavors and textures that have made them a beloved favorite in my kitchen. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe brings the essence of autumn straight to your table with joy and ease.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe comes from its thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in creating the moistness, spice, and creamy richness that make these bars irresistible.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Provides the structure for the bars, ensuring a tender crumb.
- Baking soda and baking powder (1 tsp each): These leaveners help the bars rise just right, keeping them light.
- Salt (¾ tsp): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Cinnamon (1½ tsp): Brings warm, familiar fall spice that defines the pumpkin flavor.
- Allspice, ground ginger, nutmeg (½ tsp, ¼ tsp, ¼ tsp): Blend beautifully to deepen the spicy notes without overpowering.
- Eggs (3 large, room temperature): Bind and add moisture for those tender bars.
- Brown sugar (1 cup): Adds richness and a subtle molasses hint that complements the pumpkin.
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup): Sweetens and balances the texture perfectly.
- Whole milk (¼ cup, room temperature): Moistens the batter, keeping it soft and light.
- Pumpkin puree (1 can, 15 ounces): The star ingredient that brings vibrant color and authentic pumpkin flavor.
- Vegetable oil (â…” cup): Keeps the bars moist and tender without a heavy texture.
- Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Elevates every flavor, tying the whole recipe together with warmth.
- Butter (½ cup, room temperature): For the frosting, it provides creaminess and richness.
- Cream cheese (1 package, 8 ounces, room temperature): The star of the frosting, adding tangy smoothness that’s irresistible.
- Powdered sugar (3 cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting into that perfect, spreadable consistency.
How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Ingredients
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan thoroughly, then line it with parchment paper for an easy release after baking. This step sets you up for perfectly shaped bars that lift right out without any fuss.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all your beautifully aromatic spices—cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg. Taking the time to blend these well ensures even spice distribution throughout every bite. The combination of these dry ingredients forms the flavor-packed base for your bars.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth, then add both brown and granulated sugars, vegetable oil, vanilla, milk, and pumpkin puree. Mix these together until silky and well combined. This mixture is where the moistness and pumpkin’s distinct flavor shine through, forming the perfect contrast to the dry blend.
Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Overmixing can toughen the bars, so keep it light. Then, spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan using an offset spatula for a smooth top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes—your kitchen will fill with a cozy pumpkin spice scent that’s hard to resist!
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Once the bars are baking, start on the frosting. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter until creamy—about 30 seconds. Add the cream cheese and beat until smooth and fully combined, about a minute. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, first mixing on low to avoid a sugar cloud, then cranking up the speed for about three minutes until light, fluffy, and dreamy.
Step 6: Frost and Serve
Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting; warm bars will melt the frosting and create a mess. Once cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. For an extra touch, sprinkle with cinnamon or festive sprinkles to really make them pop. Slice into generous squares and get ready to enjoy pure pumpkin joy!
How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of ground cinnamon or a handful of colorful sprinkles adds charm and a little crunchy texture to these bars. You might also try chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for a delightful nutty contrast that complements the creamy frosting beautifully.
Side Dishes
These pumpkin bars are rich and flavorful, so they pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or a glass of cold milk. For brunch or a festive gathering, serve alongside fresh fruit, like sliced apples or pears, to add a refreshing bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, stack the bars on a decorative plate as mini dessert bars, or cut them into bite-sized squares and serve on a platter with toothpicks for easy snacking. You can also pipe the cream cheese frosting with a star tip to give them an elegant, bakery-style finish that’s sure to impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover pumpkin bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese frosting means refrigeration is a must. Stored this way, they stay moist and fresh for up to 4 days, making for easy next-day treats or lunchbox surprises.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and frost fresh for the best experience. Frosted bars don’t freeze well because of the cream cheese.
Reheating
If you want that fresh-baked warmth, heat a single bar gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Avoid heating too long to prevent the frosting from melting away. This little trick makes it feel like you just pulled them from the oven!
FAQs
Can I substitute canned pumpkin puree with fresh pumpkin?
Yes, fresh pumpkin can be used as long as it’s cooked and pureed until smooth. Make sure to measure the same weight as canned pumpkin for the right moisture balance.
Why does my cream cheese frosting sometimes turn out runny?
Runny frosting usually happens when ingredients are too warm or over-beaten. Always use room-temperature cream cheese and butter, and beat just until smooth and fluffy without overmixing.
Can I make these pumpkin bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup, and ensure your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
How spicy will the pumpkin bars be?
The blend of spices provides a warm, mild spice without overwhelming heat. You can adjust the cinnamon and other spices if you prefer more or less intensity according to your taste.
What’s the best way to cut the bars evenly?
Wait until the bars are completely cool and the frosting is set. Use a sharp, serrated knife, wiping it clean between cuts for neat, even squares. Chilling the bars before slicing can also help.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is one of those special desserts that feels like a little celebration in every bite. Its perfect balance of moist pumpkin spice cake and tangy, dreamy frosting makes it a standout for holidays, gatherings, or simply whenever you crave a slice of fall’s comfort. Don’t hesitate to try it out—it’s sure to become a treasured favorite in your recipe collection just as it is in mine.
Print
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously moist and spiced pumpkin bars topped with a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting, perfect for fall gatherings and holiday treats. These bars combine warm spices with pumpkin puree and a sweet, tangy frosting, baked to perfection in a single pan for easy preparation and cleanup.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup brown sugar (220g)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (50g)
- ¼ cup whole milk (60mL, room temperature)
- 1 (15-ounce/425g) can pumpkin puree
- â…” cup vegetable oil (160mL)
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting:
- ½ cup butter (113g, room temperature)
- 1 (8-ounce/226g) package cream cheese (room temperature)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (360g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan and line it with parchment paper to ensure the bars come out easily.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, ground ginger, and nutmeg until evenly combined and aromatic.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, whole milk, and pumpkin puree together until smooth and creamy, ensuring a uniform mixture.
- Make Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure the bars stay tender and moist.
- Bake the Bars: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread it evenly using an offset spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center springs back lightly when pressed.
- Prepare Frosting: While the bars cool, beat the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until creamy (about 30 seconds). Add the cream cheese and continue to beat until smooth and combined (about 1 minute).
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed until incorporated, then increase to high speed and beat for about 3 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix once more.
- Frost and Serve: Once the pumpkin bars have completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or festive sprinkles. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender.
- You can substitute pumpkin puree with fresh cooked pumpkin if desired.
- For a dairy-free option, try using vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Warm bars slightly before serving if refrigerated for a softer texture.
