Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

The perfect balance of moist, spiced pumpkin cake topped with silky cream cheese frosting makes these Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting an irresistible fall treat. With each bite, you’ll experience the warm embrace of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves dancing with the sweet, tender pumpkin base. These bars strike the perfect balance between cake-like softness and dense, satisfying texture that keeps you coming back for more. You’ll learn how to create bakery-quality pumpkin bars that will become your signature autumn dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are destined to become your favorite fall dessert for several compelling reasons. First, the texture is absolutely perfect—moist and tender with just the right amount of density that holds together beautifully when sliced. Unlike some pumpkin desserts that can be overly heavy, these bars strike the ideal balance between lightness and substance.

The flavor profile is exceptional, with real pumpkin puree providing an authentic, earthy sweetness that artificial flavors simply can’t match. The warm spice blend complements the pumpkin without overwhelming it, creating a harmonious taste experience in every bite.

Perhaps best of all, these bars are surprisingly simple to make. The batter comes together in one bowl, and the sheet pan format means you can feed a crowd with minimal effort. The cream cheese frosting adds a tangy, velvety layer that elevates these pumpkin spice bars from good to unforgettable.

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Bars:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 2/3 cups (330g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
• 1 can (15 oz/425g) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

The canned pumpkin puree provides consistent moisture and flavor, while the combination of warming spices creates that classic pumpkin spice flavor that makes these pumpkin spice bars so beloved during autumn.

Pro Tips

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the perfect Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting, ensure your eggs are at room temperature before mixing. This allows them to incorporate more air when beaten with sugar, resulting in a lighter texture. For the frosting, both cream cheese and butter should be properly softened—but not melted—to achieve that silky-smooth consistency without lumps.

Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your pumpkin bars tough rather than tender. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine and will disappear during baking.

Even Baking is Crucial: Spread the batter evenly in your pan using an offset spatula for consistent thickness throughout. This ensures your pumpkin bars bake uniformly, preventing undercooked centers or overdone edges. The bars are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs—not wet batter—which guarantees that perfect moist texture without being underbaked.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan (or a 9×13-inch pan for thicker bars) with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This thorough mixing ensures the spices and leavening agents will be evenly distributed throughout your pumpkin bars.

Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. You’ll notice the mixture becoming lighter in color as air is incorporated—this helps create that perfect texture.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop when you no longer see streaks of flour in the batter.

Step 5: Bake the Pumpkin Bars
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly with an offset spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes for a jelly roll pan, or 25-30 minutes for a 9×13-inch pan. Your pumpkin spice bars are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 6: Cool Completely
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. This cooling period is non-negotiable—applying frosting to warm bars will result in a melted mess rather than that perfect creamy topping.

Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla and salt, continuing to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Step 8: Frost and Serve
Once the pumpkin bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. For a professional finish, use an offset spatula to create swoops and swirls. Cut into squares and serve, or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Variations

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars: Transform these Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting into a gluten-free treat by substituting the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Look for one that contains xanthan gum for the best texture. The rest of the recipe remains unchanged, and the bars will maintain their moist, tender quality that everyone loves.

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: For an autumnal twist, add 2-3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup to the cream cheese frosting and reduce the powdered sugar slightly to compensate for the added sweetness. This variation adds a complex, caramel-like depth that beautifully complements the spiced pumpkin bars and creates an even more seasonal flavor profile.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars: For chocolate lovers, fold 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter just before baking. The melty chocolate pieces create pockets of richness that contrast wonderfully with the spiced pumpkin base. You can either keep the traditional cream cheese frosting or leave them unfrosted for a more casual, portable snack version of these pumpkin spice bars.

Storage and Serving

These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Due to the cream cheese frosting, refrigeration is necessary for food safety. For the best texture and flavor, remove the bars from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

For longer storage, these pumpkin bars freeze exceptionally well. Place cut bars in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

For an elegant dessert presentation, serve these bars slightly chilled with a dusting of cinnamon on top and a small dollop of whipped cream on the side. They pair wonderfully with hot beverages like spiced chai tea, coffee, or hot apple cider for the ultimate fall dessert experience. For a decadent brunch option, serve alongside candied pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh pumpkin puree, but make sure to drain it thoroughly in a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove excess moisture. Homemade puree tends to be wetter than canned, which could affect the texture of your pumpkin bars.

Why did my cream cheese frosting turn out runny?
Runny frosting usually results from using ingredients that are too warm or adding too little powdered sugar. Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened but still cool to the touch, and add more powdered sugar if needed to reach your desired consistency.

Can I make these pumpkin bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the bars up to 2 days in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator. The flavor actually improves as the spices have time to meld.

How do I know when the pumpkin bars are done baking?
The pumpkin spice bars are done when the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
You can reduce the sugar in the bars by up to 1/4 cup without significantly affecting the texture. However, the sugar in the frosting is necessary for proper consistency, though you can use less frosting on top if desired.

Conclusion

These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are comfort food at its finest — a perfect harmony of spiced pumpkin cake topped with velvety cream cheese frosting that simply screams fall. It’s the kind of dessert that brings people together around the table, creating moments of shared joy with each heavenly bite. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, contributing to a potluck, or simply treating your family to something special on a crisp autumn day, these bars deliver warmth, nostalgia, and satisfaction in every slice.

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