Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate fall dessert, offering a soft, spiced pumpkin base topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or a cozy treat at home, these bars deliver warm autumn flavors in every bite.

With their moist texture and perfectly balanced sweetness, these bars are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Let’s get started and create this seasonal favorite!

Soft, Spiced, and Perfectly Frosted

These pumpkin bars are packed with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, perfectly complementing the creamy sweetness of the cream cheese frosting. They’re a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s equally suited for potlucks or an afternoon treat with coffee.

Let’s jump into the recipe and bake up these irresistible bars.

Pro Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Bars:

1. Use Pure Pumpkin Puree: Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.
2. Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix until the ingredients are just combined to keep the bars soft and tender.
3. Cool Completely Before Frosting: Ensure the bars are fully cooled before adding the frosting to prevent melting.
4. Spread Frosting Evenly: Use an offset spatula for a smooth and even layer of frosting.
5. Chill for Clean Slices: Refrigerate briefly before slicing for neat, professional-looking bars.

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe:

• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
• Cooling time: 1 hour
• Servings: 12-16 bars
• Equipment: 9×13 inch baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk, electric mixer

These bars are moist, spiced, and topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, making them an instant seasonal favorite.

Ingredients:

For the Bars:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and set aside.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, eggs, granulated sugar, and pumpkin puree until smooth.
4. Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
5. Bake the Bars: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
6. Prepare the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue beating until light and fluffy.
7. Frost the Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars using an offset spatula.
8. Slice and Serve: Once frosted, cut the bars into squares and serve.

Time to Enjoy

These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are everything you love about fall desserts soft, spiced, and perfectly sweet. Whether served at a holiday table or enjoyed as an afternoon snack, these bars are guaranteed to impress. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Enjoy every creamy, spiced bite!

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