Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate fall treat, look no further than Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting! Moist, cake-like, and loaded with warm spices, these bars marry the rich sweetness of pumpkin with a dreamy cloud of tangy cream cheese frosting. It’s the kind of dessert that makes an ordinary afternoon feel like something to celebrate, drawing you back again and again for just one more bite. Whether you’re sharing them at a family gathering or savoring them with a cozy mug of tea, these bars are destined to become your new seasonal favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the magic behind these Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting! The ingredient list is refreshingly simple, but each item serves a crucial purpose in building moistness, flavor, and that unforgettable creamy finish. Here’s how each component plays its starring role:
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to make the bars perfectly soft but not crumbly.
- Baking powder: Helps your bars rise beautifully and become wonderfully light.
- Baking soda: Works with the acid in the pumpkin for extra lift.
- Salt: Brings out the natural sweetness of the pumpkin and the warmth of the spices.
- Ground cinnamon: The signature spice of fall, essential for that classic pumpkin flavor.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds an aromatic, buttery depth to your bars.
- Ground cloves: Infuses a hint of intensity that sets these bars apart.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bars and helps them bake up soft.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a touch of caramel-like richness.
- Vegetable oil: Makes the bars impossibly moist and tender.
- Eggs: Bind everything together while adding lightness.
- Pumpkin puree: The heart of the recipe! Go for canned for consistent results (not pumpkin pie filling).
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese is the star of that lush frosting.
- Unsalted butter: Blends into the cream cheese for a luxurious, spreadable frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and lightens the frosting to perfection.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the frosting with soft, aromatic notes.
How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C), so it’s ready to go as soon as your batter is mixed. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later—less cleanup and perfect edges!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This step ensures all those spices are evenly distributed, so every bar bursts with flavor.
Step 3: Combine Sugars and Oil
Grab a large bowl and whisk both the granulated and brown sugars with the vegetable oil until the mixture is smooth and luscious. This creates the silky base for your bars.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Pumpkin
Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each goes in. Next, gently stir the glorious pumpkin puree into the mixture. Your kitchen will look and smell like autumn at this stage!
Step 5: Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mix, stirring just until everything is combined. Don’t over-mix; gentle folding keeps your bars light and tender.
Step 6: Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and use a spatula to smooth the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Allow the pumpkin bars to cool in the pan so they’re sturdy enough for frosting.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the bars cool, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until silky and blended. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then keep beating until the frosting is light and fluffy—it should look like a dreamy snowdrift!
Step 8: Frost and Slice
Once the bars are completely cool, generously spread the cream cheese frosting all over the top. Cut into even squares, serve on your prettiest platter, and prepare for rave reviews!
How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Garnishes
These bars are delicious as they are, but go the extra mile with a simple garnish of chopped walnuts or pecans sprinkled on top for crunch and a lovely visual touch. A dusting of cinnamon or a sprinkle of orange zest also adds a charming finish.
Side Dishes
The rich, spiced flavor of Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting pairs beautifully with lighter accompaniments. Freshly brewed coffee, chai tea, or even a simple apple salad make wonderful companions, rounding out the treat without overpowering it.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, serve the bars on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment, or cut them into fun shapes with cookie cutters for a whimsical twist. Stack smaller bars on tiered trays for a festive dessert spread that doubles as a centerpiece!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have any bars left, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors settle and intensify beautifully overnight, making tomorrow’s snack even better.
Freezing
To freeze, arrange unfrosted bars in a single layer, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw in the fridge and frost fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Enjoy bars straight from the fridge for a cool, creamy treat. Prefer room temperature? Let them sit out 15 minutes before serving, but avoid microwaving frosting so it stays perfectly whipped and silky.
FAQs
Can I make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bars actually taste even better a day after baking. Just keep them covered in the fridge and frost them right before serving for the freshest flavor and look.
Can I use homemade pumpkin puree?
Yes, you can swap in homemade pumpkin puree, just be sure to strain extra moisture if it’s watery. Consistency is key for moist but fluffy bars!
Do the bars need to be refrigerated?
Because of the creamy frosting, Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting should be refrigerated. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to five days.
Can I swap out the spices?
You’re welcome to tweak the spices! Add extra cinnamon for warmth, cut back on cloves if you prefer milder flavor, or mix in a little ginger for zip. Make it your own!
How do I get perfectly smooth cream cheese frosting?
Start with room-temperature cream cheese and butter, and beat them well before adding powdered sugar. Sift the sugar for extra silkiness, and don’t forget that final whip for supreme fluffiness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something downright irresistible about Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting, and once you try them, you’ll see why they’re a staple in so many kitchens. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or simply to treat yourself, one slice is all it takes to fall in love. Grab your spatula and get ready to savor the coziest flavors of the season!
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Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 20 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of fall with these delicious Pumpkin Bars topped with a luscious Cream Cheese Frosting. Perfect for autumn gatherings, these bars are a delightful treat for pumpkin lovers.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in the pumpkin puree.
- Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, then pour batter into pan.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, then add powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Frost bars: Spread frosting over cooled bars, then cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, top with chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
