Description
Pumpkin Bars with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting are moist, spiced pumpkin bars topped with a luscious cinnamon-kissed cream cheese frosting. Easy to bake in one pan, they’re perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or cozy fall treats at home.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp cloves)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a large bowl, beat sugars, eggs, pumpkin puree, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually stir in dry ingredients until just combined.
- Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- For the frosting: beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until creamy.
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Cut into squares or rectangles before serving.
Notes
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for crunch.
Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosted bars for extra indulgence.
Dust with powdered sugar instead of frosting for a lighter option.
Chill before slicing for clean bakery-style squares.
This recipe also works as a layered cake when baked in round pans.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
