Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting (Print Version)
Moist spiced pumpkin bars with creamy frosting, ready in 45 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the 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)
→ For the 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 Cook:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
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 wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently just until combined; avoid overmixing to prevent tough texture.
05 - Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 22-27 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan before frosting.
06 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; beat until light and fluffy.
07 - Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly moist without being heavy or dense like some pumpkin breads
- Frosting to cake ratio is absolute perfection in every single bite
02 -
- Overmixing the batter will make these bars tough and dense so stop as soon as flour disappears
- Warm bars will melt your frosting into a sad puddle so patience during cooling is absolutely required
03 -
- Sprinkle chopped pecans over frosting before it sets for extra crunch and visual appeal
- A dusting of cinnamon on top of the frosting makes these look professionally finished