Description
Moist, spiced pumpkin bars topped with a tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting – a perfect fall treat that’s easier than pie.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Pumpkin Bars:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 13×9 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, oil, eggs, and pumpkin puree. Mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Once the bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Cut into squares and serve your delicious pumpkin cream cheese bars.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh spices.
- Ensure cream cheese and butter are softened for a smooth frosting.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough bars.
- Cool the bars completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Add a pinch of ginger or allspice for extra warmth in your pumpkin bars.
- Check for doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg