Name: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 large eggs; 1 cup vegetable oil; 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar; 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Nothing signals the arrival of crisp autumn days quite like the irresistible aroma of Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat drifting from the kitchen. Each bite delivers rosy undertones of warming spices, heavenly delicate pumpkin, and a generous cloud of tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re prepping for a festive gathering, packing school lunchboxes, or simply craving an afternoon pick-me-up with your favorite latte, these bars are sure to become a seasonal ritual. The best part? They come together with pantry basics and a can of pumpkin, making magic for bakers of every experience level.

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple yet essential, each ingredient for these bars plays a starring role. The reasons for the spiced depth, tender crumb, and the trademark creamy topping lie in this carefully chosen medley. Here’s what you’ll need—and why it’s key to the magic of Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat.

Eggs: Four large eggs bind the batter, giving the bars a lovely lift and rich structure.
Vegetable oil: Adds necessary moisture, ensuring the crumb stays plush and never dry.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bars and helps the edges caramelize ever so slightly.
Pumpkin purée: The star ingredient providing body, color, and unmistakable autumn flavor.
All-purpose flour: The foundation that makes these bars hearty but never dense.
Baking powder: Works with baking soda for a perfect, even rise.
Baking soda: Adds additional leavening power and works with the acidity of the pumpkin.
Salt: Just enough to balance flavors and make the sweetness pop.
Ground cinnamon: Brings that nostalgic, warm, and spicy hug to every bite.
Ground ginger: Adds a zippy, subtle heat that keeps the spice profile interesting.
Ground cloves: Contributes deep, earthy spice to round out the classic pumpkin flavor.
Cream cheese (for frosting): The secret to tangy, luscious frosting that never overwhelms the pumpkin.
Unsalted butter: Lends richness and helps the frosting whip up fluffy and light.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting without any grittiness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances both the cake and frosting with a gentle, aromatic sweetness.

How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan so your bars slide out with ease—no fighting to free that last perfect corner piece!

Step 2: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and pumpkin purée. Whisk everything until you have a smooth, glossy, sunset-orange mixture. This ensures your bars bake up plush and evenly flavored.

Step 3: Blend the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. These dry ingredients infuse the batter with flavor and give it essential structure.

Step 4: Combine and Create the Batter

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet pumpkin blend. Stir gently—just until everything comes together. This keeps the bars tender rather than tough, ensuring Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat stay perfectly moist.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Let your nose be your timer—the aroma is unbeatable.

Step 6: Cool Completely

Once baked, let the bars cool completely in the pan. This prevents the cream cheese frosting from melting and keeps those beautiful layers neat.

Step 7: Whip the Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting

While the bars cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then continue beating until the frosting becomes irresistibly fluffy and light.

Step 8: Frost, Slice, and Savor

Spread the luscious frosting over your cooled bars, swirling it as thickly or thinly as your heart desires. Slice into tidy squares for that classic bakery look—but don’t be surprised if you sneak a corner as a chef’s treat before serving the rest!

How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat

Garnishes

A little garnish turns everyday squares into something truly eye-catching. Try a delicate dusting of cinnamon, a few toasted pecans or walnuts, or even festive orange-and-white sprinkles to celebrate the season. Each topping gives Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat a special finishing touch.

Side Dishes

Serving a crowd? Pair these bars with spiced chai, apple cider, or a dark roast coffee to enhance the autumn mood. Add bowls of fresh fruit or a handful of candied ginger for a simple, balanced dessert table everyone will love.

Creative Ways to Present

For a unique twist, cut the bars small and stack them on a tiered cake stand, or wrap individual bars in parchment and twine for a homemade gift. They also shine as part of a dessert board with caramel corn, chocolate truffles, and fall fruits—Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat never looked so inviting!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover bars keep best when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The frosting stays firm, and every bite remains as moist as the day you baked them. Enjoy within 3 to 4 days for peak freshness.

Freezing

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat can also be frozen! For best results, freeze uncut bars (without frosting), tightly wrapped, for up to two months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and frost just before serving. If they’re already frosted, freeze squares on a baking sheet before transferring to a container to prevent the frosting from sticking.

Reheating

For an extra cozy treat, bring refrigerated bars to room temperature before eating; the flavors bloom and the texture softens. If you prefer them slightly warm, a few seconds in the microwave does the trick—just avoid overheating the frosting.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pumpkin purée instead of canned?

Absolutely! If you have homemade pumpkin purée, simply use the same quantity as the canned version. Just make sure it’s thick and not watery for the perfect bar texture.

How do I know when the bars are finished baking?

The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, and the edges look lightly golden. Trust your nose and avoid overbaking for the best texture.

What’s the best way to cut neat squares?

Wait until the bars and frosting are fully cooled, then use a sharp kitchen knife cleaned with a warm, damp towel between cuts. This helps you get clean, bakery-style slices every time.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes—swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The bars will still bake up moist and flavorful, letting everyone bask in the autumn joy.

Can the frosting be flavored or colored?

You can absolutely play with flavors—try adding a touch of maple, orange zest, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon to the frosting. For color, use a tiny bit of gel food coloring to match your party theme or mood.

Final Thoughts

With their spiced warmth, dreamy tangy frosting, and ease of preparation, Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat are destined to become a highlight of your fall baking traditions. Treat yourself (and everyone you love) to these irresistible squares—you may even find yourself making them all season long!

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Incredible Fall Favorite Treat Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 20 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the flavors of fall with these delicious Pumpkin Bars topped with a creamy layer of Cream Cheese Frosting. Perfect for a cozy autumn treat!

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

For the cream cheese frosting:

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, and pumpkin until smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
Blend Batter: Gradually stir dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just combined. Pour into the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes.
Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beat until fluffy.
Frost and Serve: Spread frosting over cooled bars, slice into squares, and enjoy!