Description
These moist and flavorful pumpkin bars are a perfect autumn treat, featuring a spiced pumpkin batter topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Easy to make and ideal for parties or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bars
- 1 15-oz can pumpkin puree
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup neutral oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 10 x 14-inch jelly roll pan and set it aside for later.
- Make the Batter: Crack the eggs into a large bowl and beat them. Add pumpkin puree, neutral oil, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, kosher salt, baking soda, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, whisking just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: Beat together room temperature cream cheese and unsalted butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and sifted powdered sugar gradually, beating until the frosting reaches a smooth and spreadable consistency.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars. Cut into 18 bars and serve.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to prevent tough bars due to gluten development.
- Use a toothpick or skewer to test for doneness by inserting it near the center of the bars; if it comes out clean, the bars are ready.
- Sift powdered sugar before adding to frosting to avoid lumps; discard any lumps too large to sift.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
