Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’re searching for a delightfully moist and flavorful treat that perfectly balances seasonal spices and creamy sweetness, this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is your go-to answer. It’s one of those irresistible desserts that combines the rich, comforting notes of pumpkin-orange goodness with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting, making every bite feel like a cozy hug in bar form. Whether for a holiday gathering or simply to enjoy with your afternoon coffee, these pumpkin bars are easy to make, wonderfully textured, and endlessly satisfying.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe plays a crucial role to create the perfect harmony of flavors and textures. From the fragrant spices to the creamy frosting elements, each component is simple but essential for that classic autumn vibe.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams): Provides the sturdy structure for the bars without weighing them down.
• 2 teaspoons baking powder (8 grams): Helps the bars rise to a tender, fluffy texture.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda (6 grams): Reacts with the acidic pumpkin for perfect leavening.
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (5 grams): Adds warm, aromatic notes that define pumpkin desserts.
• 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (5 grams): Brings classic autumn spice blend for depth and complexity.
• 2 cups granulated sugar (400 grams): Sweetens the batter while keeping it moist.
• 1 cup canola oil (100 grams): Ensures moistness and tender crumb without overpowering flavor.
• 4 large eggs (200 grams): Binds ingredients and adds richness.
• 15 ounces pumpkin puree (425 grams): The star ingredient that adds moisture, color, and pumpkin flavor (NOT pumpkin pie filling).
• 8 ounces cream cheese (227 grams, room temperature): Creates the luscious base for the frosting.
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (71 grams, softened but still cool): Adds smoothness and richness to the frosting.
• 2 tablespoons sour cream (28 grams, room temperature): Gives the frosting a slight tang and creamy consistency.
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (2 grams): Enhances sweetness and warmth in the frosting.
• ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt: Balances the frosting’s flavors perfectly.
• 1½ cups powdered sugar (170 grams): Sweetens and thickens the frosting for that perfect spreadable texture.
• 1 cup roasted chopped pecans (114 grams, optional): Adds delightful crunch and nutty flavor when sprinkled on top.

How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and placing the rack right in the middle. Spritz a rimmed sheet pan (about 11 by 15 inches) with nonstick spray so the bars don’t stick—you want an easy release later!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. This blend is where the warmth and the spice magic begin, setting the stage for that signature pumpkin flavor.

Step 3: Combine Sugar and Oil

In your mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the granulated sugar and canola oil together on medium speed. This step ensures your bars will be wonderfully moist without any grittiness.

Step 4: Add the Eggs

Introduce the eggs to the sugar and oil mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition to create a smooth, unified batter.

Step 5: Pumpkin Time

Pour in the pumpkin puree and mix for about a minute. This is when your batter takes on that rich orange color and earthy flavor that’s unmistakably autumnal.

Step 6: Incorporate Flour Mixture

Slow your mixer to low and gradually add the flour mixture a cup at a time, mixing until you don’t see any flour left. Then crank it back up to medium speed and beat for another minute or two to create a smooth batter.

Step 7: Transfer Batter to Pan

Pour the luscious pumpkin batter into your prepared pan and gently tap it on the counter. This helps eliminate air bubbles, ensuring a uniform texture when baked.

Step 8: Bake the Pumpkin Bars

Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 25 to 33 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. You’ll know your bars are perfectly baked when they have a golden crust but remain soft inside.

Step 9: Cool Completely

Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let those bars cool completely before adding the frosting. Trust me, patience here means a frosting that won’t melt away.

Step 10: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While your bars chill out, beat the room-temperature cream cheese on medium-high speed for one minute until smooth and creamy.

Step 11: Add Butter

Mix in the softened, cool butter and continue beating for about a minute until fully incorporated, creating a rich frosting base.

Step 12: Add the Rest of the Frosting Ingredients

Stir in the sour cream, vanilla extract, and salt at medium speed, mixing for another minute for that silky, tangy frosting that perfectly counters the pumpkin sweetness.

Step 13: Sweeten and Whip

Finally, add the powdered sugar and beat everything together for two to three minutes until the frosting is fluffy and smooth, ready to spread lavishly over your cooled bars.

Step 14: Frost and Finish

Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly across the cooled pumpkin bars. If you love a bit of crunch, sprinkle roasted chopped pecans on top, then cut into 24 squares and get ready for compliments!

How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

While toasted pecans are a classic and delicious choice, consider a dusting of cinnamon or a few festive sprinkles to add visual appeal and an extra layer of warmth to your bars. Freshly grated nutmeg can also be a subtle yet lovely addition.

Side Dishes

These pumpkin bars pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a glass of cold milk. For a holiday spread, serve alongside spiced cider or a creamy latte to complement the cocktail of spices within the bars.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the bars on a wooden board dusted with powdered sugar or arrange them in decorative cupcake liners for a charming look. You can even layer pieces between wax paper in a pretty tin if gifting—making the Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe as wonderful to give as it is to enjoy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover pumpkin bars refrigerated in an airtight container. Properly stored, they stay fresh and flavorful for up to five days, making them perfect for savoring a little bit at a time without any loss in taste or texture.

Freezing

You can freeze unfrosted bars for up to three months by wrapping them tightly in plastic and then foil. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the fridge and then add the frosting fresh for the best experience.

Reheating

While these bars are best enjoyed at room temperature or chilled for the cream cheese frosting, if you prefer them warm, gently microwave a single square for 10 to 15 seconds. Just avoid heating too long or the frosting may melt away.

FAQs

Can I substitute pumpkin puree with fresh pumpkin?

Fresh pumpkin can be used but needs to be cooked and pureed first. Canned pumpkin puree is convenient because it’s already cooked and has a consistent texture which works best in the Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe.

Is it okay to use butter instead of canola oil?

Butter can add richer flavor, but canola oil keeps the bars moist and tender. If substituting, use melted butter but be aware the texture might be slightly less soft.

What makes this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe different from pumpkin cake?

These bars have a denser yet tender texture and a thick layer of cream cheese frosting, offering a convenient, hand-held format without sacrificing any of the rich flavors you’d find in pumpkin cake.

Can I prepare the frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the frosting a day ahead and store it covered in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature and give it a quick whip before spreading to restore smoothness.

Is it necessary to use pumpkin pie spice, or can I make my own blend?

You can absolutely mix your own! Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice to match the pumpkin pie spice flavor. This way, you can adjust the spices to your liking.

Final Thoughts

With its perfectly spiced pumpkin base and irresistibly creamy cream cheese frosting, this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is an absolute must-try for any pumpkin lover. It’s simple enough to whip up on a cozy afternoon yet impressive enough for holiday celebrations. Once you taste these bars, I’m sure they’ll become one of your favorite seasonal treats to share and enjoy again and again.

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