Description
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a simple, seasonal dessert made with pumpkin puree, warm spices, and a rich cream cheese topping. They’re soft, moist, and perfect for fall baking.
Ingredients
Scale
4 large eggs
1 ⅔ cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable or avocado oil
1 (15‑oz) can pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
Frosting:
8 oz low-fat cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
2–3 cups sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep — Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13‑inch baking dish.
- Mix Wet Ingredients — In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla until well combined.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients — In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices, salt, and baking soda until well blended.
- Combine Mixtures — Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until incorporated—be careful not to overmix.
- Bake — Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool — Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Make the Frosting — In a bowl, mix cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar while mixing until the frosting is smooth and reaches your preferred thickness.
- Frost and Serve — Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly across the top, then slice and enjoy!
Notes
Bars cut cleanly for easy serving
Use fresh pumpkin puree (2 cups) if desired
Chill frosting if too soft
Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 3g