Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting (Printable version)
Moist, spiced pumpkin bars topped with luscious cream cheese frosting for a perfect fall dessert.
# What you'll need:
→ For the Pumpkin Bars
01 - 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
→ For the Cream Cheese Frosting
14 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
15 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
16 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
17 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 - Pinch of salt
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until thoroughly blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add pumpkin puree and continue mixing until well incorporated.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula just until combined—avoid overmixing to prevent dense texture.
05 - Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 22-27 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Cool completely in pan before frosting.
06 - Using a hand or stand mixer, beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Continue beating until light and fluffy.
07 - Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve immediately or refrigerate for later enjoyment.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly moist without any complicated techniques
- That cream cheese frosting makes them taste like something from a fancy bakery
02 -
- Cool the bars completely before frosting or it will melt right off
- Room temperature cream cheese and butter prevent lumpy frosting every time
03 -
- Let the cream cheese sit out for at least an hour so it softens properly
- The toothpick test is your friend insert it in several spots since the center takes longest