Pumpkin Bars Recipe

These Pumpkin Bars are the ultimate fall treat, combining rich, spiced pumpkin flavor with a moist, tender crumb. Each bite is a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth, enhanced by a creamy frosting that melts in your mouth. Ready in just 43 minutes, they’re an effortless way to bring the cozy essence of autumn to your table. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply indulging, these bars are sure to delight with their irresistible texture and aroma.

Packed with 1600 IU of Vitamin A per slice, these bars are as wholesome as they are delicious. The soft, cake-like base pairs beautifully with the smooth, velvety topping, creating a dessert that’s both comforting and indulgent. With 24 slices to share, they’re perfect for spreading joy at any fall gathering. Quick to prepare and even quicker to disappear, these Pumpkin Bars are a seasonal must-have that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Bars

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, tightly packed
• 1 cup (240 g) pumpkin puree, blotted (see notes for blotting instructions)
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups (285 g) all-purpose (plain) flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 Tablespoon pumpkin spice
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ¾ teaspoon salt

For the Frosting:

• 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
• 4 Tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease and flour the sides and bottom.
2. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat until creamy and well-combined.
3. Add the blotted pumpkin puree and stir well.
4. Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and all ingredients are fully combined.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin spice, cornstarch, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 23-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
8. Allow the pumpkin bars to cool completely before frosting.

For the Frosting:

1. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and butter. Use an electric mixer to beat until creamy.
2. Add the vanilla extract and salt, and stir well.
3. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar until fully combined. Mix in the cornstarch until smooth.
4. Once the pumpkin bars are completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
5. Slice into bars and enjoy! Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions

These pumpkin bars are delicious on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced chai tea or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. For a festive touch, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the frosting before serving.

Keep It Fresh: Storage Tips

Store your pumpkin bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, they can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before freezing.

Mix It Up: Recipe Variations

Feel free to get creative! Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for a crunchy twist, or swap the cream cheese frosting for a maple glaze. If you’re a chocolate lover, fold in some chocolate chips for a sweet surprise in every bite.

Quick Tips for Success

To save time, use pre-made pumpkin spice instead of mixing your own. Also, make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for a smoother batter and frosting. If you’re short on time, you can skip blotting the pumpkin puree, but the bars may be slightly denser.

Frosting Like a Pro

For a perfectly smooth frosting, sift the powdered sugar and cornstarch before adding them to the cream cheese mixture. If the frosting feels too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Spread it evenly over the cooled bars for a bakery-worthy finish.

Pumpkin Bars

Rahat

These Pumpkin Bars are the ultimate fall treat, combining rich, spiced pumpkin flavor with a moist, tender crumb. Ready in just 43 minutes, they’re an effortless way to bring the cozy essence of autumn to your table.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 23 minutes mins

Total Time 43 minutes mins

Servings 24 slices

Calories 257 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar tightly packed
• 1 cup pumpkin puree blotted*(see notes for instructions on blotting)
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose (plain) flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 Tablespoon pumpkin spice
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ¾ teaspoon salt

FROSTING

• 6 oz cream cheese softened
• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350F (175C) and line a 13×9 baking pan** with parchment paper (or grease and flour the sides and bottom of the pan).
• Combine butter, sugar, and brown in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until creamy and well-combined.
• Add blotted pumpkin puree and stir well.
• Add egg yolks and vanilla extract and stir until batter is smooth and all ingredients are well-combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, pumpkin spice, cornstarch, and salt.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to set, stirring until all ingredients are combined.
• Spread pumpkin bar batter into prepared baking pan and bake on 350F (175C) for 23-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
• Allow to cool completely before covering with cream cheese frosting
• Combine butter and cream cheese in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until creamy. Add vanilla extract and salt and stir well.
• With mixer on low-speed, gradually add powdered sugar until completely combined. Add corn starch and stir until combined.
• Once pumpkin bars have cooled completely, spread frosting evenly overtop.
• Slice and enjoy! Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 257kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 183mgPotassium: 26mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 1600IUVitamin C: 0.8mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.2mg

Keyword baking, bars, dessert, fall, pumpkin

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