Description
Mouthwatering pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting bring autumn’s warmth to your dessert table. Spiced with cinnamon and topped with silky frosting, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors you’ll crave all season long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
- 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients and Frosting:
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 0.25 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and warm spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a smooth, homogeneous liquid.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring carefully to avoid overmixing and maintain a light texture.
- Transfer batter into prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula to create a uniform layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean without any raw batter.
- Remove from oven and allow bars to cool completely at room temperature, which prevents frosting from melting.
- Create frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until silky, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy.
- Once bars are thoroughly cooled, generously spread cream cheese frosting across the surface using an offset spatula.
- Slice into square portions and serve at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure pumpkin puree is well-drained to prevent excess moisture, which can make bars soggy.
- Swap vegetable oil with applesauce for a lighter, lower-fat version that maintains moisture.
- Use gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly alternative without compromising texture.
- Adjust spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to personal preference, creating a customized flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 237
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 129 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg