Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting (Printable Version)

Moist spiced pumpkin bars topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, ready in 45 minutes for fall gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ For the Pumpkin Bars

01 - 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

→ For the Cream Cheese Frosting

14 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
15 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
16 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
17 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 - Pinch of salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add pumpkin puree and mix until thoroughly combined.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently just until combined; do not overmix to maintain tender texture.
05 - Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 22-27 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan before frosting.
06 - Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; beat until light and fluffy.
07 - Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The texture is impossibly moist without being dense or heavy
  • Frosting-to-bar ratio is absolutely perfect
  • They actually taste better the next day if they last that long
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients for the frosting are non-negotiable or you will end up with lumps
  • Overmixing the batter makes the bars tough so stop as soon as the flour is incorporated
  • Completely cooled bars prevent the frosting from melting into a sad puddle
03 -
  • Use the back of a spoon to create swirls in the frosting for a rustic look
  • Warm your knife under hot water and wipe clean between cuts for perfect edges

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