Pumpkin Bars: The Cozy Fall Treat You NEED!
Moist, warmly spiced pumpkin bars topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Easy to make, irresistibly cozy, and the perfect fall dessert for gatherings, bake sales, or solo indulgence.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- hand mixer or stand mixer for frosting
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix sugar, oil, and eggs until well blended. Stir in pumpkin puree.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then stir in vanilla and salt.
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
Feel free to get creative with mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or cranberries. The classic cream cheese frosting is heavenly, but brown butter or maple frostings are excellent twists!