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Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
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Enjoy these moist and flavorful Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting, a perfect fall dessert featuring warm pumpkin spices and a tangy, creamy frosting. Ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy autumn treats, this recipe is simple to follow, beginner-friendly, and yields tender bars topped with irresistible cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pumpkin Bars

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (or replace some/all with maple syrup)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (use vegan cream cheese for dairy-free)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter for dairy-free)
  • 3–4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until smooth and well incorporated.
  4. Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula or wooden spoon. Stir just until combined to avoid overmixing and maintain tender bars.
  5. Bake the Bars: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
  6. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition until fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract for flavor.
  7. Frost and Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars with a spatula. Cut into squares and serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Use room temperature cream cheese, butter, and eggs for a smooth, well-mixed batter and frosting.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender with a light crumb texture.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting or sliding of the frosting.
  • Opt for fresh ground spices for the most vivid and warming flavor profile.
  • Store finished bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep frosting firm and bars moist.
  • Leftover bars can be refrigerated up to 5 days or freeze unfrosted bars wrapped tightly for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bars, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, pumpkin recipes, holiday treats, moist pumpkin bars, easy baking

Find it online: https://elenaglam.com/pumpkin-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting/