These luscious, classic Ultimate Pumpkin Bars with Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting are one of the best fall dessert recipes to make for the season and are definitely always a crowd pleaser…ALWAYS!
Everyone loves them and it’s no wonder!
These yummy, moist pumpkin cake bars are full of warm, cozy pumpkin spices and deliciousness. Slather some tangy creamy, cream cheese frosting on top and voila! Pumpkin Bliss!
They smell so wonderful, you’ll want to inhale deeply before actually inhaling the goods!
Double yum!
I am a huge fan of eating these with a little carrot, raisins and walnuts for texture.
You could also add in some mini chocolate chips, but honestly, if you want to please everyone, you might just want to leave as is, without bells and whistles inside the bars.
The cream cheese frosting is pretty much a staple with pumpkin bars. It’s just not proper to not have it together, don’t ya think?
For a little change-up in the frosting, add in a touch of maple syrup or vanilla bean extract.
For a frosting shortcut, buy pre-made cream cheese frosting and frost away. 1 tub should do the trick, but if you want extra, then add more!
For a little fun and color, add some sprinkles, chopped nuts, toffee, little pumpkins, candy corn or some Reese’s pieces for a festive touch.
Pumpkin bars are custom-made for Halloween, Thanksgiving and the fall season. Easy to make and so tasty!
Check out these Yummy Sour Cream Banana Bars, these White Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, German Spiced Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and these OMG Chocolate Chip Gooey Bars for some other ideas if pumpkin isn’t your thing!
Enjoy!!
Ultimate Pumpkin Bars with Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Ultimate Pumpkin Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar add more if needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp Greek yogurt, milk of choice or sour cream for extra creamy
Instructions
Ultimate Pumpkin Bars
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray for easy removal. If you don’t have parchment, just spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt well and set aside.
- Using a mixer, in another bowl, cream together butter and sugars until well combined.
- Mix in egg and vanilla, then add in pumpkin and mix together.
- Add flour mixture and mix just until combined.
- Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
- Bake until bars are set for about 25-30 minutes
- Cool completely, then lift bars from pan using parchment (if using parchment paper) and frost.
Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting
- Using mixer, mix together the cream cheese and butter until very smooth and light, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until combined. For extra creamy, add 1 tablespoon milk of choice, Greek yogurt or sour cream. Beat for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Spread the frosting on the cooled pumpkin bars, add adornments if you desire, then cut into bars.
- Freeze up to 3 months, refrigerate up to 3-5 days. Room temperature - 1 to 2 days.
Notes
Nutrition
This Ultimate Pumpkin Bars with Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is my favorite <3 Thanks for this amazing recipe.
You are so sweet Marie! I’m so glad it’s your favorite! Thank you so much! xo
I love how I can SEE the spices in every slice. These are so great to bring to a party/potluck for a crown. I totally get why everyone loves them so much! :-)~ Valentina
Thank so much!! xo