Name: Easy Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; ½ cup vegetable oil; 1 cup pumpkin puree; 2 large eggs; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2-3 tablespoons milk

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Easy Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting: A Spiced Autumn Treat 🎃🍰🍁

1. Introduction

Fall is the perfect time to indulge in warm, comforting desserts, and what could be better than easy pumpkin bars topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting? These pumpkin dessert bars are incredibly moist, perfectly spiced, and easy to make, making them an ideal treat for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a delightful snack, or simply craving a taste of autumn, these cream cheese pumpkin bars are sure to be a hit. If you’re looking for other snack alternatives, be sure to check out our snack recipes to find a perfect match. This recipe will guide you through creating these delectable bars, step by step, ensuring a delightful baking experience and an even more delightful dessert.

Finished Easy Pumpkin Bars with cream cheese frosting, perfect for fall celebrations.

2. What Makes These Pumpkin Bars Special?

These aren’t just any easy pumpkin bars; they’re crafted to perfection with a balance of warm spices and the natural sweetness of pumpkin. The cream cheese frosting adds a tangy counterpoint that elevates the entire flavor profile. Many readers compare these uniquely to our incredible cheesecake recipes because of the cream cheese frosting. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:

Moist and Tender: The combination of pumpkin puree and oil ensures a perfectly moist and tender crumb.
Perfectly Spiced: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates that classic autumnal warmth.
Easy to Make: With simple instructions and readily available ingredients, anyone can bake these bars with ease.

Crowd-Pleasing: These pumpkin dessert bars are always a hit, whether you’re serving them at a holiday gathering or enjoying them as an afternoon treat.

3. Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start, gather all your ingredients. Using high-quality ingredients can truly elevate your baking; for excellent insights on selecting the best, consider this resource: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.Here’s what you’ll need for the easy pumpkin bars and the cream cheese frosting:

For the Pumpkin Bars:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves

½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup vegetable oil

1 cup pumpkin puree
2 large eggs

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons milk

4. Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious cream cheese pumpkin bars you’ve ever tasted. If you love baking and want to see more delicious recipes, feel free to visit our recipes page.

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This ensures that all the spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Incorporating spices well is crucial for that classic Autumn flavor, making it more than just another easy pumpkin bars recipe.

Mixing the dry ingredients for Easy Pumpkin Bars in a bowl.

2. Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, oil, pumpkin puree, and eggs. Mix until well combined and smooth. This creates a moist base for your pumpkin dessert bars. For the best results, make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.

Combining pumpkin puree and eggs for the Easy Pumpkin Bars mixture.

3. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients and Bake

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely before frosting. Ensuring they’re fully cooled prevents the frosting from melting and creates the perfect cream cheese pumpkin bars.

Smooth pumpkin batter being poured into a baking pan for Easy Pumpkin Bars.

4. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract and add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Frost the cooled easy pumpkin bars and cut into squares to serve. If you’re a fan of sweet treats, you might like our caramel or maybe our cookies!

Pumpkin bars baking in the oven, ready to be turned into a delicious treat.

5. Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Bars

Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough bars. Mix until just combined.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures that the ingredients blend together smoothly.

Cool Completely: Frosting warm bars can cause the frosting to melt.
Spice it Up: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. A pinch of ginger or allspice can add extra warmth. Consider adding a touch of chocolate if you’re feeling adventurous!

6. Variations and Additions

Want to customize your pumpkin dessert bars? Here are a few ideas:

Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolatey twist.
Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture.
Maple Glaze: Drizzle a maple glaze over the cream cheese frosting for extra sweetness.

Spice it up: Add a pinch of ginger or allspice

7. Serving Suggestions

These cream cheese pumpkin bars are perfect on their own, but here are a few ideas to elevate your serving experience:

Warm with Ice Cream: Serve a warm bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert.

Coffee Pairing: Enjoy a bar with a warm cup of coffee or tea. These would also pair nicely with our breakfast recipes.
Holiday Dessert: These bars make a great addition to any holiday dessert table.

8. Storage Instructions

To keep your easy pumpkin bars fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay moist and delicious for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage; just wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer bag. Getting storage right ensures you can enjoy these pumpkin dessert bars for as long as possible.

9. Conclusion

These easy pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are a delightful treat that captures the essence of fall. Simple to make and incredibly delicious, they are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. To learn more about us and our passion for baking, visit our about page. Enjoy the warmth and sweetness of these cream cheese pumpkin bars and share the joy with friends and family! Also be sure to visit our homepage for more fall-themed dessert content!