Get the Recipe: The BEST Frosted Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are a super delicious treat that is easy to make from scratch. They are the best fall dessert bar!
Ingredients
Pumpkin Bars
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¾ cup canned 100% pure pumpkin puree, (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup (4 ounces or 113 g) full-fat block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Sprinkle of cinnamon for on top of bars
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients–flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat melted butter, brown sugar and sugar on medium-high speed until well combined and sugar is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Add egg, pumpkin puree and vanilla. Mix until incorporated. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just until combined (avoid over-mixing).
- Transfer batter to prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake at 350° F for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with little to no crumbs. Cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, then mix until combined.
- Frost cooled bars and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Slice and serve.
Notes
Pumpkin pie spice: Make your own by using 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon + 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger + 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg + 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or all spice.
Store frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze bars individually wrapped in plastic wrap in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month.
Serving: 1bar, Calories: 160kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 34mg, Sodium: 164mg, Potassium: 70mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 2072IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg