Ultimate 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.

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

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!

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

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)

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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.

• 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

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

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.

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

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.

Photo byThe Cookin' Chicks

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!

Exact Ingredients

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• 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