Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’re anything like me and adore the cozy flavors of fall, you’re in for a treat! This Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is the perfect way to capture all that pumpkin spice goodness in one pan. These bars are moist, tender, and topped with the smoothest cream cheese frosting that’s just the right balance of tangy and sweet. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become your go-to pumpkin dessert every year.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a key role to make sure these pumpkin bars turn out tender, flavorful, and perfectly spiced—plus that luscious cream cheese frosting. I always recommend using fresh spices and room temperature ingredients to get the best results.

• Pumpkin puree: Use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best texture and flavor control.
• Eggs: Large eggs help bind everything together and add moisture.
• Neutral oil: Like vegetable or canola oil; it keeps the bars moist without adding flavor.
• Granulated sugar: For sweetness and texture.
• Light brown sugar: Adds a subtle molasses flavor and extra moisture.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the warmth and richness of the pumpkin spice.
• All-purpose flour: The base of the bars; be careful not to overmix.
• Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and uplifts all the flavors.
• Baking soda & baking powder: These leavening agents help give the bars a nice rise without becoming cakey.
• Ground cinnamon: The key spice that brings pumpkin bars to life.
• Cream cheese (for frosting): Bring to room temperature for smooth frosting.
• Unsalted butter (for frosting): Softened butter helps make the frosting creamy and spreadable.
• Powdered sugar: Sifted to avoid lumps and achieve a silky frosting texture.

Variations

I love how flexible this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is—you can tweak it to suit your preferences or dietary needs without losing that classic pumpkin bar charm. Here are some ideas I’ve tried and loved.

• Gluten-Free Option: I swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend once and still got deliciously tender bars.
• Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of nutmeg and ground cloves works wonders for a deeper warm spice profile.
• Less Sweet Frosting: If you prefer not-too-sweet frosting, I reduce the powdered sugar by half and add a splash of lemon juice for tang.
• Add Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts mixed into the batter bring a lovely crunch and rustic vibe.

How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients

Start by cracking the eggs into a large bowl and beating them until they’re smooth and a little frothy. Then add your pumpkin puree, neutral oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until you can’t see any streaks—this ensures every bite is consistently delicious. I like to keep the bowl a bit warm or room temperature to help the sugar dissolve nicely.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients Carefully

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Now here’s the trick I discovered along the way: when you fold the dry mix into the wet, don’t overmix! You want just enough stirring to get rid of dry pockets. Overmixing develops the gluten and can make your bars tough—which is the last thing we want!

Step 3: Bake the Bars

Pour your batter into a greased 10 x 14-inch pan—it’s just the right size for a slab of bars that bake evenly. Pop it in the oven at 350°F. After 20 minutes, start checking by inserting a toothpick in the middle; if it comes out clean, you’re golden. If not, give it a few more minutes but watch closely, so you don’t dry them out. When I first made these, I found the bars baked perfectly around 25 minutes depending on my oven’s quirks.

Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the bars cool completely, beat together the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and sift in the powdered sugar a little at a time. Sifting is key here—you’ll avoid lumps and get that silky smooth texture. Taste as you go and add more sugar if you want it sweeter. Once cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the bars. This frosting is the reason my family goes crazy—it balances the spiced pumpkin flavor perfectly.

How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just a light dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the frosting—that adds a subtle aroma and a pretty touch. For special occasions, I love sprinkling chopped toasted pecans or a few chocolate shavings. It’s amazing how a little garnish can make these bars feel extra special.

Side Dishes

I find these bars pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. If you’re serving dessert after a meal, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream alongside is a total crowd-pleaser.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to cut the bars into mini squares or diamonds and place them on decorative trays lined with parchment paper. You could also layer them in a glass trifle bowl with whipped cream and toasted nuts for a stunning pumpkin dessert parfait. These presentation ideas make the recipe feel festive and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge—this keeps the frosting fresh and the bars moist. They stay delicious for up to 4 days, which is perfect because usually, we don’t last that long without finishing them!

Freezing

I’ve frozen the bars (without frosting) successfully by wrapping pieces tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost fresh. This keeps the texture perfect without sogginess.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy your bars warm, I warm a slice briefly in the microwave (about 15 seconds) before adding frosting. It makes them cozy but still prevents the frosting from melting too fast. This little ritual is now my go-to for a quick treat.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe has become a fall staple in my kitchen—the kind of recipe I love sharing with friends because I know it delivers every single time. You get that perfect blend of cozy pumpkin spice, a moist tender crumb, and a creamy frosting that’s just dreamy. So pull out your whisk, grab your favorite fall playlist, and get baking—you won’t regret it!

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