These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect cozy treat to savor during fall or holiday gatherings. Imagine a deliciously moist pumpkin-infused base topped with smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting that melts effortlessly in your mouth. This recipe combines simple yet rich ingredients to create a dessert that’s easy to make, irresistibly flavorful, and sure to become a favorite at every celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich Moisture: The pumpkin puree keeps the bars moist, ensuring every bite is tender and delightful.
Easy Preparation: With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, the recipe is perfect for all skill levels.
Perfectly Balanced Flavor: The warm spices blend beautifully with the cream cheese frosting for a harmonious taste.
Versatile Dessert: Ideal for fall, Thanksgiving, or simply any time you crave a comforting treat.
Family Favorite: Loved by kids and adults alike, making it a go-to dessert for gatherings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are uncomplicated but essential, each bringing a unique contribution to the final Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting—whether it’s flavor, texture, or that vibrant autumn color.

Pumpkin Puree: Provides moisture, natural sweetness, and signature pumpkin flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure while keeping the bars soft and tender.
Sugar: Adds the right touch of sweetness to balance the spices.
Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger): Deliver warmth and depth typical of fall desserts.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Help the bars rise perfectly without being too cakey.
Vegetable Oil or Melted Butter: Contributes moistness and richness.
Eggs: Bind everything together for a stable yet tender texture.
Cream Cheese: The star of the frosting, creamy and slightly tangy.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting without grit.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances both the bars and frosting with natural sweetness.

Variations for Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

This recipe is wonderfully flexible and easy to customize, allowing you to adapt it to your pantry, dietary needs, or flavor preferences with just a few tweaks.

Gluten-Free Version: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and ensure frosting ingredients are compliant.
Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for extra crunch and flavor.
Spice Adjustments: Increase or reduce cinnamon and ginger to suit your personal spice preference.
Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream cheese and plant-based butter to make it vegan-friendly.
Citrus Zest Addition: Add a hint of orange or lemon zest in the frosting for a fresh flavor kick.

Irresistible Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

Start by preheating your oven and greasing a baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, oil or melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix just until everything is well incorporated but not overworked to ensure moist bars.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. This mixture ensures even distribution of raising agents and flavor throughout the batter.

Step 3: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want tender bars, not dense ones.

Step 4: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.

Step 5: Make Cream Cheese Frosting

While the bars cool, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a bit of softened butter until smooth and fluffy. Adjust sugar amounts if you prefer a sweeter or milder frosting.

Step 6: Frost and Serve

Once the bars have cooled fully, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly across the top. For neat slices, chill the bars briefly before cutting.

Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything blend smoothly and ensures creamy frosting without lumps.
Don’t Overmix Batter: To keep pumpkin bars tender, mix until just combined.
Check for Doneness Early: Ovens vary, so start testing your bars around 22 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Chill Frosting Before Spreading: If your cream cheese is too soft, frosting can become runny; chilling helps.
Cut with a Warm Knife: Run your knife under hot water and wipe dry before slicing for clean edges.

How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes

Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, a dusting of cinnamon, or a drizzle of caramel sauce atop the frosting for extra flair and flavor.

Side Dishes

Pair these bars with a warm cup of spiced tea, coffee, or even a glass of cold milk to balance the sweetness and enhance the cozy experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve on a rustic wooden board with autumn leaves for charming fall gatherings or cut into mini squares for bite-sized party treats that guests can easily enjoy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The frosting stays fresh and the bars remain moist.

Freezing

You can freeze unfrosted bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months; thaw completely before adding frosting.

Reheating

Reheat bars at room temperature or briefly warm in the microwave without frosting to bring back softness, then frost before serving.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin puree?

Yes, canned pumpkin puree works perfectly and is the most convenient option for this recipe.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not as written, but you can substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend to make it safe for gluten sensitivities.

How long do the bars stay fresh?

When stored properly in the refrigerator, these pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting stay fresh for about 5 days.

Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely, you can make the cream cheese frosting a day before and keep it refrigerated; just give it a quick stir before spreading.

What if I want a less sweet frosting?

Simply reduce the powdered sugar amount in the frosting recipe to suit your taste, balancing sweetness with cream cheese tang.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dessert that perfectly captures the warmth and flavors of fall, these Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a must-try. They’re wonderfully moist, richly spiced, and topped with luscious frosting that ties every bite together beautifully. Trust me, once you make this recipe, it’ll become a staple you’ll happily share with friends and family year after year.

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Print Recipe

These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a moist and flavorful fall dessert featuring a tender pumpkin-spiced base topped with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. Easy to prepare with simple ingredients, they are perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy treats, and versatile enough to customize for dietary preferences.

Total Time: 40-45 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Pumpkin Bars

1 ¾ cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground ginger

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened (regular or coconut cream cheese for dairy-free)
½ cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter for dairy-free)
3 cups powdered sugar, adjusted to taste
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare the Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, oil or melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined, taking care not to overmix to maintain moistness.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. This ensures even distribution of spices and leaveners.
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Make Cream Cheese Frosting: While the bars cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is fluffy. Adjust sweetness to your preference.
Frost and Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars. For cleaner slices, chill the frosted bars briefly before cutting and serving.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for smooth blending and lump-free frosting.
Don’t overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and moist.
Start checking for doneness at 22 minutes as ovens vary to avoid overbaking.
Chill frosting before spreading if cream cheese is very soft to prevent runniness.
For clean cuts, warm your knife under hot water and wipe dry before slicing.

Author: Lina
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free (with flour substitution)

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar (approximate)
Calories: 280
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: pumpkin bars, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, holiday treat, moist pumpkin bars, gluten-free pumpkin bars, autumn dessert