Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting (Printable)
Moist, spiced pumpkin bars with luscious cream cheese frosting. Ready in 45 minutes.
# 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
→ 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 Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a large mixing 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 thoroughly combined.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula just until combined; be careful not to overmix.
05 - Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 22-27 minutes or until 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, and salt; continue beating until light and fluffy.
07 - Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Cut into 16 squares and serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly moist, almost like a cross between cake and a dense brownie that keeps beautifully for days
- That cream cheese frosting turns a simple spiced bar into something people will beg you to make again
02 -
- Cooling the bars completely before frosting is the difference between professional looking treats and a delicious mess
- Room temperature ingredients for the frosting are not optional, cold cream cheese creates lumpy frosting that nobody wants
03 -
- Spray your measuring cup with oil before measuring the pumpkin puree, it slides right out
- Run your knife under hot water between cuts for picture perfect squares