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    Home » Dessert » Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Published: Oct 2, 2021 · Modified: Apr 19, 2022 by Sula · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    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!

    pumpkin bar on a red plate with entire pan of bars behind it

    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!

    3 pumpkin bars on a plate with more behind

    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!

    pin for pumpkin bars

    More desserts with fabulous homemade frosting:

    • Strawberry Filled Cake
    • Oreo Cupcakes
    • Lemon Layer Cake
    • Kahlua Chocolate Cake
    • Carrot Cake with Pineapple
    3 pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting on a white plate
    5 from 41 votes
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    Pumpkin Bars – with Cream Cheese Frosting

    A delicious cake-like bar with warm pumpkin flavors, smothered in luscious cream cheese frosting. The very best way to celebrate fall!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 160kcal
    Author: Sula

    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 estimates do not include frosting

    Nutrition

    Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 2975IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    Layer cake frosted with white froating and decorated with fresh strawberries
    5 from 9 votes
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    Cream Cheese Frosting

    The perfect frosting for your cake!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 347kcal
    Author: Sula

    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

    Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 155mg | Potassium: 31mg | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 588IU | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    « Cake Mix Waffles
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    Filed Under: Dessert

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jen

      October 05, 2021 at 6:07 pm

      5 stars
      This is seriously amazing! I loved that it is so easy to make!!

      Reply
      • Sula

        October 06, 2021 at 7:57 am

        Awesome - I'm so glad you like them!

        Reply
    2. Toni

      October 05, 2021 at 10:23 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for this easy to follow recipe! Everyone at my house enjoyed it! A must-make this fall!

      Reply
      • Sula

        October 05, 2021 at 12:35 pm

        Everyone needs to eat something pumpkin flavored this time of year!

        Reply
    3. Emily Flint

      October 04, 2021 at 8:31 pm

      5 stars
      Oh, I just love a good pumpkin bar and the cream cheese frosting was perfection! Awesome vintage recipe!

      Reply
      • Sula

        October 05, 2021 at 6:21 am

        Sometimes the classics just win the day!

        Reply
    4. Chef Dennis

      October 04, 2021 at 7:32 pm

      5 stars
      Hmmm Yum! This dish was really delicious.

      Reply
      • Sula

        October 05, 2021 at 6:21 am

        Oh yes!

        Reply
    5. Audrey

      October 04, 2021 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      These were so tasty!

      Reply
      • Sula

        October 04, 2021 at 11:35 am

        Thank you, they are very popular in my house!

        Reply

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