Description
Creamy, spiced old fashioned pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting bring autumn’s warmest comfort to dessert tables. Rich seasonal flavors and nostalgic textures invite you to savor classic fall baking perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (15 ounces) can pumpkin puree
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch pan with grease and a light dusting of flour, then set the oven temperature to 350°F.
- Create a luscious base by vigorously blending sugars and oil until thoroughly integrated, then incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete mixture after each addition, followed by folding in the pumpkin puree.
- In a separate container, meticulously combine the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, aromatic spices like cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg – whisking to eliminate potential lumps.
- Gradually merge the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a uniform batter emerges with no visible streaks of flour.
- Transfer the silky batter into the prepared pan, distributing evenly with a spatula, then slide into the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges pristine.
- Allow the baked bars to cool completely, reaching room temperature, which prevents frosting from melting.
- For the creamy topping, whip softened cream cheese and butter until achieving a smooth, luxurious texture, then gradually introduce powdered sugar and vanilla extract, blending until achieving a light, fluffy consistency.
- Once bars are entirely cooled, lavishly spread the cream cheese frosting across the surface, creating an even, decadent layer.
- Slice into neat squares and serve, revealing the perfectly spiced, moist autumn-inspired dessert.
Notes
- Ensure pumpkin puree is well-drained to prevent soggy bars, maintaining a perfect texture that’s moist yet firm.
- Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, keeping the rich autumn flavor intact.
- Reduce sugar by 25% and use alternative sweeteners like stevia for a lower-calorie dessert without compromising taste.
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, creating a more uniform and tender bar texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 263
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 98 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg