Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting (Print Version)

Spiced pumpkin bars with creamy frosting perfect for fall gatherings and cozy treats.

# What You 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

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until well combined.
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 mixture into dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; avoid overmixing to prevent dense 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 softened 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 cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The texture is impossibly moist without being heavy or dense
  • The cream cheese frosting creates the perfect tangy contrast to sweet spiced pumpkin
  • They travel beautifully and actually taste better the next day
02 -
  • Let the bars cool completely before frosting or the frosting will melt right off
  • Room temperature ingredients are essential for smooth, lump free frosting
  • Overmixing the batter makes the bars tough, so stop as soon as you no longer see dry flour
03 -
  • Room temperature cream cheese and butter prevent lumpy frosting every single time
  • Sifting the powdered sugar creates silky smooth frosting without any grittiness

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