Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Fork is inserted into pumpkin bar on white plate.

5 from 2 votes

These pumpkin bars are fluffy, moist, and decadent, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting for the ultimate pumpkin season indulgence!

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: bars

Calories: 259kcal

Author: Traci

Equipment

measuring cups and spoons
mixing bowls
whisk
10 x 15 jelly roll pan Or baker's quarter sheet (for half size)
silicone spatula
offset spatula or spreading tool
electric hand mixer

Ingredients

2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 ½ cups Sugar
2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon plus more for garnish
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 teaspoon Salt
1 (15-ounce can) Unsweetened Pumpkin Puree not pumpkin pie mix
1 cup Vegetable Oil or oil of choice
4 Eggs room temperature
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
2 tablespoons Butter softened
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 cups Confectioners Sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and center your oven rack. Prepare your baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the FLOUR, SUGAR, CINNAMON, BAKING POWDER, BAKING SODA, PUMPKIN PIE SPICE, and SALT until combined. Set aside.
In another mixing bowl, use a whisk or electric mixer to blend the PUMPKIN PUREE, OIL, EGGS, and VANILLA until well combined.
Combine the wet and dry mixtures and stir into a smooth batter. Do not over-mix.
Spread the batter evenly in the baking pan.
Bake at 350° for 25-35 minutes, or until the center is set and a testing toothpick comes out clean. The bars will have a golden brown surface and the edges will have pulled away from the pan sides.
Transfer the pan of pumpkin bars to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.
To make cream cheese frosting: Use an electric hand mixer and mixing bowl or stand mixer to beat the CREAM CHEESE, BUTTER, and VANILLA until combined. Gradually add CONFECTIONERS SUGAR and beat until smooth and fluffy.
Spread the frosting over the pumpkin bars. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Cut the bars into squares, serve, and enjoy!
To store, refrigerate the bars in an airtight container for up to five days.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients: This helps ingredients mix into a smooth batter and helps your pumpkin bars rise evenly.

Avoid overmixing: Once wet and dry ingredients are combined, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to dense bars.

Use an oven thermometer: Ovens may vary, so an oven thermometer ensures your pumpkin bars bake at the stated recipe temperature.

When are my bars done? Like cake, the center of your pumpkin bars should be set, a toothpick should come out clean, and the edges will slightly pull away from the pan when done.

Serving options: Serve the bars directly from the baking sheet for the ultimate convenience, or transfer them to a platter or serving tray for a more polished presentation.

Nutrition