The BEST Frosted Pumpkin Bars

by Haley // October 13, 2022

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Here is the recipe for the best fall dessert bar you will make this season! Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are a super delicious treat that is easy to make from scratch. They are sweet, tender and moist with just the right amount of pumpkin pie spice!

two frosted pumpkin bars stacked in front of small white pumpkin.

When it comes to pumpkin desserts, I love a good cream cheese frosting on top—just take a look at these frosted pumpkin cookies. I decided to make a similar recipe, but in dessert bar form. These pumpkin spice bars are super tasty and perfect to serve at holiday gatherings this fall!

Table of Contents

Why This Recipe Works

The bars are soft, but not super cake-y. Pumpkin purée will always produce a softer dessert bar and this recipe yields a slightly dense, tender texture. Not quite as fluffy as my pumpkin cupcakes, but definitely less dense than my sugar cookie bars. The cream cheese frosting complements the pumpkin spice flavor perfectly (I use it as filling for my pumpkin whoopie pies).

Ingredients Notes

ingredients for pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting.

Pumpkin purée: 100% pure canned pumpkin purée works best for this recipe (I used Libby’s). Do not use pumpkin pie filling.
Cream cheese: I prefer the block cream cheese for baking because it has less air whipped into it. This makes the frosting thick, creamy and delicious.
Spices: You can use pumpkin pie spice mix or individual spices included in the recipe card notes.

For ingredient details and measurements, refer to the recipe card.

Recipe Variations

You can make these pumpkin bars without frosting and enjoy them as is (my fiancé Ben actually prefers them that way!) If you don’t like cream cheese frosting, try a simple vanilla buttercream or maple buttercream Remember to cut the frosting recipes in half or save the extra for another recipe.

If you’re serving a crowd (hello, Thanksgiving!), you can double the recipe and make it in a 9×13 pan. I like making these bars festive by sprinkling some chopped nuts or holiday sprinkles on top of the frosting. For a chocolate moment, try mixing in 1/2 cup chocolate chips into the dough.

How to Make Frosted Pumpkin Bars

photo collage demonstrating how to make dough for pumpkin bars in an 8x8 pan.

Whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin spice. Set aside.
Mix together the wet ingredients: beat melted butter, brown sugar and sugar with an electric mixer until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add egg, pumpkin puree and vanilla. Mix until incorporated.
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
Bake bars: Transfer dough to an 8×8 baking pan line with parchment paper. Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely.

photo collage demonstrating how to make cream cheese frosting for pumpkin bars.

Make the cream cheese frosting: Beat cream cheese on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla and mix until combined.
Frost cooled bars and cut into squares. Garnish with a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg if desired and serve.

Expert Tips

Weigh your ingredients using a kitchen scale for accurate measurements. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, fluff up your flour with a fork and spoon it into the measuring cup. Level it off with a knife (never pack flour down into the cup). Avoid over-mixing the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients otherwise the texture will be tough, not tender.

Let the bars cool completely before frosting them. If they are still warm, the frosting will melt. If your cream cheese frosting is runny or thin, place the mixing bowl back in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, mix for 5 seconds and frost.

pumpkin bar with cream cheese frosting and bite taken off the corner.

Storage and Make Ahead Instructions

Good news! You can freeze pumpkin bars with the cream cheese frosting for up to 1 month. To help keep the frosting intact, I suggest freezing the bars uncovered on a plate until the frosting is firm, then wrapping them individually in plastic wrap. Store the wrapped bars in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

The bars can also be made a day ahead and then frosted the day of. Be sure to wrap the bars tightly to preserve moistness. Frosted pumpkin bars will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Serve them chilled or at room temperature. They are okay to serve at room temperature for a few hours at a party or gathering.

Recipe FAQ

Why are my pumpkin bars dry?

There was either too much flour or they were over-baked. Make sure you’re measuring your flour properly and your oven temperature is accurate.

Can cream cheese frosting be left out at room temperature?

It is safe to keep cream cheese frosting at room temperature for up to 2 hours. This is perfect if you are serving these bars on a dessert table during the holidays. For longer storage, keep frosted bars in the refrigerator.

Why are my pumpkin bars dark?

Dark metal pans or glass pans retain heat and cook the bottoms of baked goods more quickly especially if left to cool in the pan. I suggest using a light colored pan (I own this Nordicware 8×8 pan).