Homemade Pumpkin Bars with Creamy Cheese Frosting
Homemade Pumpkin Bars with Creamy Cheese Frosting are a true celebration of autumn flavors packed into a delightful dessert.
Servings: 12 servings
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Dish
- Whisk
- Spatula
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pumpkin Puree Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour Provides structure for the bars.
- 1.5 cups Granulated Sugar Essential for sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder Helps the bars rise.
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon Adds warmth and depth.
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg Enhances flavor profile.
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt Balances sweetness.
- 2 large Eggs Bind ingredients together.
- 1 cup Vegetable Oil Keeps bars moist.
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese For the frosting.
- 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter Softened for frosting.
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar Sweetens the frosting.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Enhances frosting flavor.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, and vegetable oil. Mix until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and cut into squares or rectangles.
Notes
These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.