Description
Deliciously moist and spiced pumpkin bars topped with a creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting. These pumpkin bars are perfect for autumn gatherings, holidays, or anytime you want a comforting, sweet treat with rich flavors of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pumpkin Bars Ingredients:
- 4 eggs
- 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil (or avocado oil, or any mild-flavored oil)
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 (8-ounce) package low-fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 cups sifted powdered sugar*
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Mist a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, sea salt, and baking soda until well blended.
- Combine Batter: Add the dry ingredients into the wet pumpkin mixture and stir gently until completely combined. Take care not to over-mix to keep the bars tender.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once done, transfer the pan to a wire rack and allow the bars to cool to room temperature.
- Make the Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar and stir until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Frost the Bars: Once the bars are fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into bars, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- * For a super-smooth frosting, sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the cream cheese mixture.
- Storage Instructions: Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. You may also tightly cover the baking dish with foil when refrigerating if you prefer not to transfer the bars.
- Recipe adapted from Sweet Pea’s Kitchen, originally from Paula Deen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 12 bars)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
