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Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
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These easy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting combine moist pumpkin-spiced bars with a luscious, tangy frosting, perfect for capturing the warmth and comfort of autumn. Simple to make and customizable, they’re ideal for holiday parties, potlucks, or a cozy seasonal treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pumpkin Bars

  • 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin puree (pure pumpkin, not pie filling)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened (room temperature)
  • 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until well combined.
  3. Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Slowly add the vegetable oil and pumpkin puree, mixing until smooth and well incorporated.
  4. Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until all ingredients are moistened. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
  5. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
  6. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and fluffy.
  7. Frost and Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs, cream cheese, and butter for smoother batter and frosting.
  • Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense bars.
  • Check for doneness at 30 minutes with a toothpick to prevent overbaking and drying out the bars.
  • Cool bars completely before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Use pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling to avoid added sugars and spices.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bars, cream cheese frosting, fall desserts, pumpkin dessert, autumn treat, gluten free pumpkin bars

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/pumpkin-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting/