Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Delicious pumpkin bars topped with velvety cream cheese frosting—easy to make and perfect for fall gatherings.
Ingredients
Pumpkin Bar Ingredients
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree Can substitute with fresh pumpkin puree.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
Frosting Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want the batter to be light and fluffy!
- Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
Frosting
- In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined and creamy.
- Once the pumpkin bars are cooled, evenly spread the creamy frosting on top.
Serving
- Cut into squares, serve, and enjoy the delightful flavor!
Notes
For fresh pumpkin, cook and puree until smooth. Experiment with spices like ginger or cloves for added flavor. Chill frosting if too soft.