Description
These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate fall dessert — moist, warmly spiced, and topped with a rich, creamy layer of frosting. Perfect for a quick breakfast, easy dessert, or crowd-pleasing treat for any autumn gathering, this easy recipe comes together with pantry staples and pure pumpkin purée. Whether you’re looking for new breakfast ideas, a sweet snack, or easy food ideas to bring to a potluck, these bars check all the boxes. They slice beautifully, store well, and are always a hit!
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup pumpkin purée
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin purée, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
4. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly.
6. Bake for 28–33 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Let bars cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then fully on a wire rack.
8. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add vanilla, then gradually mix in powdered sugar until smooth.
9. Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars.
10. Slice into squares and serve. Optionally top with candy pumpkins or cinnamon dust.
Notes
Always let the bars cool completely before frosting to avoid a runny top.
For best results, use canned pumpkin purée — not pumpkin pie filling.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg