Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting (Printable)
Moist spiced pumpkin bars with creamy frosting, ready in 45 minutes for 16 servings
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Pumpkin Bars
01 - 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
→ For the Cream Cheese Frosting
14 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
15 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
16 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
17 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 - Pinch of salt
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until well blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add pumpkin puree and mix until fully incorporated.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently just until combined—avoid overmixing to prevent tough bars.
05 - Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 22-27 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan.
06 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt; beat until light and fluffy.
07 - Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
# Tips from dashanddishes:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly moist, almost like cake but better because it feels more casual and friendly
- Frosting them while slightly warm creates this dreamy layer that seeps into the pumpkin just enough
02 -
- Letting the bars cool completely before frosting is absolute torture but necessary or the frosting will melt right off
- Room temperature ingredients for the frosting make the difference between silky smooth and frustratingly lumpy
03 -
- Use the back of a measuring cup to press the parchment paper into the corners neatly
- Chill the frosted bars for 30 minutes before cutting for the cleanest squares