Today’s recipe is a vintage one. It comes from my mother’s recipe boxes. And I remember having these bars when I was very young. I completely loved them.
I have to be honest, I am not someone who has to have pumpkin flavored everything in fall. Coffee, tea, pancakes – no, I don’t really crave a pumpkin version, thank you very much!
But these pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting … these are very different. They are truly wonderful!
And if I say that, just think how all the real pumpkin lovers will feel!
Why I love this recipe
This recipe has all the warm spices of pumpkin pie which flavor – of course – pumpkin puree. The easy batter makes a cake-like bar which is quite tasty on its own. But then it is covered in cream cheese frosting which makes it a whole different experience.
This fabulous bar deserves a spot on everyone’s plate of treats during the holidays, at minimum!
How to make these pumpkin bars
First mix the pumpkin puree with eggs, sugar and oil. I use a hand mixer and beat it to fully combine.
Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then add gradually to the pumpkin mixture. Mix well.
Transfer to a 15x10 inch pan. I like to line the pan with parchment paper to make it easier later to remove the cut bars, but that is not strictly necessary.
Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes, until set. Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting. (you don’t want that lovely cream cheese frosting getting all melty and sliding off the bars.)
Storage of the pumpkin bars
Because these pumpkin bars have cream cheese frosting, I recommend you store these bars in the fridge. The recipe does make a pretty big batch so they are great for feeding a crowd. And I consider them deadly to have around if I’m not feeding a crowd because I really cannot resist them!
More desserts with fabulous homemade frosting:
Pumpkin Bars – with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 4 eggs room temperature
- 1 ⅔ cups sugar
- ¾ cup butter melted
- 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
- 2 cups flour all purpose
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- With a hand mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, butter and pumpkin puree until well blended.
- In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. then gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix well.
- Pour into a 15x10x1 inch pan. You do not need to grease the pan but lining with parchment paper does make removal of the bars a little easier.
- Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes or until set. Cool completely.
- When fully cool, spread with cream cheese icing per recipe below.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened (1 stick)
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-2 teaspoon milk
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter ‘til smooth.
- Begin adding powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, and beat until fully incorporated.
- As frosting begins to get very thick, add milk, one teaspoon at a time, to help loosen it up. Adjust amounts of sugar and milk if needed to achieve the perfect spreading consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Jen
This is seriously amazing! I loved that it is so easy to make!!
Sula
Awesome - I'm so glad you like them!
Toni
Thank you so much for this easy to follow recipe! Everyone at my house enjoyed it! A must-make this fall!
Sula
Everyone needs to eat something pumpkin flavored this time of year!
Emily Flint
Oh, I just love a good pumpkin bar and the cream cheese frosting was perfection! Awesome vintage recipe!
Sula
Sometimes the classics just win the day!
Chef Dennis
Hmmm Yum! This dish was really delicious.
Sula
Oh yes!
Audrey
These were so tasty!
Sula
Thank you, they are very popular in my house!