Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting (Printable)
Moist, spiced pumpkin bars with creamy frosting for fall gatherings
# What You'll Need:
→ 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)
→ 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 Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease lightly.
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 fully incorporated.
04 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently just until combined; avoid overmixing to prevent dense texture.
05 - Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 22-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan.
06 - Beat 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 the cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly moist and the frosting transforms them into something that feels like a bakery treat
- They actually get better after a day in the fridge, making them perfect for make ahead moments
02 -
- Cooling the bars completely is not optional here or you will end up with a sliding mess of frosting
- Room temperature ingredients for the frosting are the difference between silky smooth and hopelessly lumpy
03 -
- Use a kitchen scale to measure your pumpkin puree since cans vary so much in actual weight
- Run your knife under hot water and wipe dry between cuts for perfectly clean squares