Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting (Print View)
Moist spiced pumpkin bars topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, ready in 45 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Pumpkin Bars
01 - 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
→ For the Cream Cheese Frosting
14 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
15 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
16 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
17 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 - Pinch of salt
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until well blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add pumpkin puree and mix until thoroughly combined.
04 - Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir gently just until flour is incorporated—avoid overmixing to prevent tough texture.
05 - Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 22-27 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan before frosting.
06 - Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; continue beating until light and fluffy.
07 - Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled bars. Cut into 16 squares and serve immediately or refrigerate for later enjoyment.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly moist without being dense or heavy
- Frosting-to-bar ratio is absolutely perfect in every bite
02 -
- Make sure your cream cheese and butter are truly softened or you will end up with lumpy frosting
- Let the bars cool completely before frosting or the frosting will melt into a gooey mess
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients mix more easily and create a smoother batter
- Sift your powdered sugar before adding to the frosting to avoid any lumps