Pumpkin Bars

Tender, moist and delicious Pumpkin Bars topped with cream cheese frosting that has been spiced with cinnamon to make them mouthwatering. This is the ultimate fall dessert that’s perfect for when you are craving pumpkin, need to bring a dessert or treat to an event!

These pumpkin bars have been a favorite of mine for years and I make them every fall! Not just because I love them, but I think my family and friends would go on strike if I didn’t – this is seriously the BEST recipe for pumpkin bars.

This recipe is similar to pumpkin bread, but it’s more like a cake with a lighter and softer crumb. You’ll need a lot of the same ingredients, but you’ll end up with a fluffier baked good that is downright addictive. But hey, if you’re going to spend your fall baking warm, sweet treats it may as well be a recipe that you absolutely love!

Why You’ll Love Pumpkin Bars

• These pumpkin bars are perfectly soft with just the right amount of cinnamon spice, and the cinnamon cream cheese frosting just takes them over the top.
• This is a one bowl recipe…which makes for easy clean-up. Just whip up the bars and then make the frosting while they bake.
• They are an easily shareable treat. Great to bring to parties and for serving to a crowd for snack or dessert. I often make them to serve after church and they are always devoured!

Ingredients for Pumpkin Bars

• Flour – Reach for a high quality all-purpose flour for the best results when making this pumpkin bars recipe.
• Baking powder – Baking powder is a rising agent that will help make these pumpkin bars fluffy and light.
• Baking soda – Since pumpkin is really moist, it can create a dense dessert. That’s why using two rising agents is beneficial!
• Salt – A little salt helps to balance sweetness in baked goods.
• Canola oil – If you don’t have canola oil on hand, use any other neutral flavored oil. You can also use melted unsalted butter.
• Pumpkin puree – Be sure to purchase a 15oz can of pumpkin puree for these pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting.
• Sugar – Use granulated sugar to sweeten the bars, and powdered sugar will be used for the cream cheese frosting.
• Eggs – Allow the eggs to come to room temperature before mixing them with the other ingredients. They mix more easily at room temp.
• Vanilla extract – A splash of vanilla extract adds great flavor to the frosting for this yummy fall dessert.
• Cinnamon – If you’d like, you can use pumpkin spice instead of just cinnamon, but I like the simple flavor that cinnamon provides.
• Cream cheese – Make the most creamy and delicious cream cheese frosting to spread on top of these pumpkin bars.
• Butter – Use softened butter and mix it with the cream cheese frosting ingredients to make a smooth and creamy topping.
• Powdered sugar – Powdered sugar helps sweeten the cream cheese frosting without giving it a grainy texture.

How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Start by beating together the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin puree in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer. Once light and fluffy, mix in all of the dry ingredients.
2. Spread batter into an un-greased baking pan and for 20-25 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Once a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean, the pumpkin bars are done!
4. While they cool, make the cream cheese frosting.
5. All you need to do is cream together softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Then gradually add powdered sugar and cinnamon until all the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
6. Spread the frosting over the cooled pumpkin bars, slice into even squares and serve!

How to Store Leftover Pumpkin Bars

Refrigerator: Cover bars and store them in the refrigerator for up to four days after frosting them.

Freezer: To freeze these bars let the frosting set up (gently touch them and make sure frosting doesn’t stick to your fingers) in the refrigerator. Then cover and place in the freezer for up to three months. You can also cut into individual bars and wrap with plastic wrap and store in a large resealable bag in the freezer for up to three months.

Can I add anything to my pumpkin bars?

Though pumpkin bars are perfect with just these simple ingredients, you can add a few different things to make them even more interesting and tasty!

Chopped pecans and walnuts would add a great nutty flavor and crunchy texture. You can top freshly frosted bars with them, or mix them into the batter…or do both! For a chocolatey twist, add chocolate chips to the batter for pumpkin bars.

You can also make a spiced cream cheese frosting by adding cinnamon and nutmeg, or a dash of pumpkin spice, when you mix in the powdered sugar.

These cozy fall pumpkin bread bars are sure to be one of your go-to recipes in no time!

More Easy Recipes

• My Apple Streusel Bread is another easy fall treat that is always a hit when I make it!
• Snickerdoodle Bars turn a classic cookie into an irresistible dessert bar!
• Lemon Poppy Seed Cake starts with a cake mix, but no one will ever guess! It’s a great last-minute dessert when you need one for an event.
• You can never go wrong making a fresh batch of Pumpkin Muffins during the fall.