The BEST Pumpkin Bars with ultimate Fall flavors! Rich, buttery, and finished with a mouthwatering cream cheese frosting on top! These bars are the perfect Fall treat!
Pumpkin Bars Recipe
It’s Fall and my most FAVORITE time of the year! The leaves are changing colors, cooler weather heads our way, more soups and comfort food recipes enter the weekly rotation, and of course, PUMPKIN EVERYTHING!
I tend to be a year-round pumpkin gal, but since I know not everyone is like that, I try not to post too many pumpkin recipes off season!
The Pumpkin Bars are moist, flavorful, and packed with all the Fall flavors! To finish it off, they are topped with a mouthwatering cream cheese frosting!
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)
Ingredients Needed for Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars:
This easy pumpkin bars recipe calls for just a few pantry staples, plus a can of pumpkin! For full ingredient amounts and directions, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.
Eggs– beaten
Pumpkin– puree, not pie filling
Sugar
Oil– you can also substitute applesauce in place of the oil
Flour– all purpose
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Cinnamon
How to make Pumpkin Bars
- Combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar and oil in a bowl and mix well.
- Add in dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Spread batter onto an ungreased 15x10x1 inch baking pan.
- Bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Once cool, spread cream cheese frosting on top.
Storage Information
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.
Tips for the best Pumpkin Bars
- Measure your flour correctly! Adding too much flour to the recipe is the most common mistake.
- Do not over-mix the batter as it will give you a denser and more tough pumpkin bar.
- Feel free to add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, sprinkles, or candy pumpkins as decoration on top of the bars.
- These bars are delicious without frosting too, you can even dust with powdered sugar or drizzle.
- You can definitely use different sized pans to make these! 9 x 13 baking pan is a great option as well.
Topping for Pumpkin Bars
You can keep these pumpkin bars totally plain or even dust with a little confectioners’ sugar. They’re still incredible without a special garnish on top! But, of course, I never pass up an opportunity for some cream cheese frosting. Feel free to add sprinkles, candies, or nuts on top as well.
More Pumpkin Recipes to try
If you love pumpkin like I do, check out these other great family favorites from the blog:
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 Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 eggs *beaten
- 16 oz pumpkin *not puree
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup cooking oil
- 2 cups flour *all purpose
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 can cream cheese frosting *or homemade
Instructions
- Combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar and oil in a bowl and mix well.
- Add in dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Spread batter onto an ungreased 15x10x1 inch baking pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Once cool, spread cream cheese frosting on top and enjoy!
Nutrition
Recipe updated 10/3/2022
