Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Indulge in a classic Fall dessert with our irresistible Pumpkin Bars featuring soft, moist pumpkin cake generously topped with an incredible cream cheese frosting infused with warm spices in every bite. These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate pumpkin spice dessert.

 

In my house, pumpkin is enjoyed year round. From my Copycat Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins to Simple Pumpkin Banana Bread or my Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Bake, we enjoy them whether its Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer!

Typically, come August, I am bringing out the Fall candles, decor, and adding lots of soups and casseroles to the meal plan. Fall is my most favorite season of the year, so I like to get a head start early because October just isn’t enough time for me to get my Fall fix in!

Pumpkin Squares Recipe

These Pumpkin Squares are such a classic recipe and one you may have grown up enjoying. A soft, delicious pumpkin cake topped with a cream cheese frosting that can either be homemade or store bought! These bars are really simple to make and basically fool proof.

Whether you make these for a dessert, or sneak a piece with your morning cup of coffee, this pumpkin bars recipe is perfect anytime!

What makes these Pumpkin Bars the BEST

I’m sure you have seen several recipes for these bars over the years and want to know why THESE are the best. Let me tell you…

• They’re EASY– these are basically foolproof! One bowl, no mixer needed, and ready in no time!
• Quick– yep, only needed 25 minutes in the oven, once they are cooled, frost and devour! Doesn’t get easier than that, right?!
• Fall Flavor– ALL the Fall flavors are packed into these bars! Pumpkin, cinnamon, cream cheese frosting…need I say more?
• Plenty for everyone– since this is made in a baking pan (cookie sheet), you can cut as many bars as needed and feed these to lots of people (or keep them for yourself, I won’t judge)

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

Here is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make these easy pumpkin bars using simple ingredients. For exact measurements, scroll below to the printable recipe card.

• Eggs– beaten, this adds moisture and structure to this recipe
• Pumpkin– pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, I love using Libby’s, but homemade works great too
• Sugar- adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the pumpkin cake
• Oil– you can also substitute applesauce in place of the oil
• Flour– all purpose flour, provides the structure to the cake
• Baking Powder/ Baking Soda- ensure yours is fresh as this gives the cake its rise and perfect texture
• Cinnamon- this adds a Fall spice to the cake. You can also add in Pumpkin Pie Spice for an added Fall flavor

Variations

• Chopped Nuts such as walnuts or pecans are great additions into the cake batter OR sprinkled on top of the cream cheese frosting.
• Chocolate Chips are great additions to the batter or top of cake once frosted.
• To enhance the Fall flavor, you can add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of Ginger, Cloves, and Pumpkin Pie Spice to the cake.
• If you aren’t a fan of cream cheese frosting, you can also use a Maple Frosting, Vanilla Frosting, or Buttercream frosting.

How to make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Here is a brief overview of step by step directions for this classic Fall dessert. For more thorough directions, see recipe card below.

1. Bake Cake: In a large bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar and oil in a bowl and mix well. Add in dry ingredients and mix until combined. Spread batter onto an un-greased 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
2. Frost: Once cool, spread cream cheese frosting on top.

Expert Tips

• Don’t over-mix the cake batter as it will turn the cake dense and not as soft/fluffy.
• You can make this in a jelly roll pan for thinner bars, or 9×13 baking pan for thicker bars.
• The cake needs to cool completely before having the frosting added on top.
• Chill pumpkin bars in the refrigerator until ready to serve. These are my favorite when they are fully chilled.
• Don’t overcook the pumpkin bars. Use a toothpick to check center of cake as its bakes. Once it comes out clean, your cake is ready to be removed from oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these pumpkin bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare these up to 2 days ahead of time and simply store in the refrigerator. You can also bake the cake and freeze it for up to 3 months. Allow to fully thaw and spread cream cheese frosting on top.

Do these bars need to be refrigerated?

You can keep these at room temperature for 24 hours, however, I have found they taste the best when chilled, so I recommend storing in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.

How can I decorate these pumpkin bars?

To keep things simple, you can spread the cream cheese frosting on top followed by a dusting of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice. To really jazz them up, you can also sprinkle some brown sugar or powdered sugar on top or spread some candy corn on top. Perhaps even a candy corn pumpkin on each cut square.

How do store pumpkin bars recipe?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you want to freeze, its best to not frost the bars and stick in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw and frost once ready to enjoy!

How to make Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting

It’s easy to make this cream cheese frosting recipe with just four ingredients:

· 8 Ounces Softened Cream cheese: Of course, this is the main ingredient!
· 1/2 Cup Butter: You’ll also need a stick of softened butter, I recommend unsalted butter.
· 2 teaspoon Vanilla: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor, just ensure its pure versus imitation.
· 4 Cups Confectioners’ sugar: powdered sugar easily dissolves into the cream cheese frosting making it ideal.

Beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until creamy. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until the mixture is smooth. That’s it! Now you can spread it onto the fully cooled pumpkin squares.

Storing and Freezing

• Leftovers? These bars should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Want to make ahead? Bake the bars and cool completely. Wrap bars in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Frost just prior to serving.
• Need to freeze the pumpkin bars? Bake the bars and cool completely. Wrap bars in plastic wrap and then place in an airtight container of freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. Let defrost at room temperature and then frost.

More Pumpkin Recipes you’ll love

Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes– the most incredible, fluffy pancakes with just the right amount of pumpkin flavoring throughout

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Bake– just a few simple ingredients are needed to make this pumpkin breakfast treat

Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins– same great flavor as the restaurant favorite, now made anytime that craving hits

Pumpkin Coffee Cake Donuts– baked, not fried, these donuts are moist, fluffy, and melt in your mouth

Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Mudslides– an incredible, Adult only cocktail perfect for the Fall season

Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies– soft, chewy pumpkin cookies studded with white chocolate chips throughout

Fall Recipes to try

Apple Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bake–  the ULTIMATE sweet treat to enjoy anytime! Fluffy rolls combined with apples, cream cheese, spices, and more!

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread– cinnamon roll pieces combined with apples, cinnamon, an incredible glaze, and more! Perfect to serve for breakfast on a Fall morning, or a lazy weekend brunch, this is one tasty and simple recipe!

Snickerdoodle Apple Muffins– a moist, flavorful muffin with chunks of tender apple throughout! Combined with a cinnamon sugar coating, these muffins are a Fall favorite!

Apple Fritter Bread–  soft, fluffy quick bread that’s stuffed with apples, cinnamon, and sugar!! Like apple fritters in bread form!! Perfect with coffee or tea, serve this delicious apple bread warm with whipped butter.

Incredible Apple Cider Donuts– melt in your mouth, cinnamon sugar-coated donuts that everyone will love!

 

SAVE THIS AND PIN IT FOR LATER!

Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can make it later! Come follow me on Pinterest to keep up with each and every tasty recipe I share. I am also on Facebook and Instagram, so be sure to come and say hi! If you try this recipe, I would love for you to comment below, tag me in your photos, and leave a star rating!