Description
Scrumptious pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting merge autumn’s warmest spices into a delectable dessert. Seasonal baking brings comfort and joy, delivering rich flavors perfect for gatherings you’ll treasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with grease.
- Whisk pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Separately combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt in another bowl.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated without overmixing.
- Transfer batter evenly into greased pan, ensuring smooth surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean from center.
- Allow baked bars to cool completely at room temperature, approximately 1 hour.
- Cream together softened cream cheese and butter using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until frosting reaches smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Carefully spread frosting across entire cooled pumpkin bar surface using an offset spatula.
- Slice into square portions and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- Make sure pumpkin puree is smooth and well-blended to ensure a consistent texture throughout the bars.
- Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for easier mixing and a smoother batter and frosting.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum.
- Enhance the spice profile by adding a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to the dry ingredients for a more complex flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 299
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg