Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Tender, warmly spiced pumpkin bars are baked in a sheet pan and finished with a smooth, rich cream cheese frosting. This generously sized dessert is ideal for autumn gatherings, holiday tables, and make-ahead entertaining.
Pin it to remember it!
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Pumpkin Bars
- 15 ounces pure pumpkin purée
- 1 cup mild-flavored vegetable or other neutral oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 large eggs brought to room temperature, approximately 70°F
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg preferably freshly grated
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 6 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar sifted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup butter softened
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, then apply a light coating of nonstick cooking spray to the paper. Set the prepared pan aside.
- Place the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, kosher salt, cloves, neutral oil, pumpkin purée, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, blend the ingredients on low speed just until the dry components are moistened. Raise the mixer to medium speed and continue beating for 2 minutes, or until the batter is uniform and smooth.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes. The bars are ready when the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the pumpkin bars to cool completely in the pan before applying the frosting.
- While the bars cool, add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, softened butter, softened cream cheese, milk, and vanilla extract to a medium mixing bowl.
- Beat the mixture with a hand mixer on medium speed until the frosting becomes creamy, smooth, and fully blended.
- Once the pumpkin bars have cooled completely, distribute the cream cheese frosting evenly across the surface.
- Cut the frosted sheet into 48 individual bars and serve.
Notes
Begin checking the bars after 25 minutes, since baking times can differ among ovens.
For a more pronounced vanilla flavor, an additional small splash of vanilla extract may be blended into the frosting.
For neater slices, refrigerate the frosted bars for approximately 30 minutes before cutting.
For a more pronounced vanilla flavor, an additional small splash of vanilla extract may be blended into the frosting.
For neater slices, refrigerate the frosted bars for approximately 30 minutes before cutting.