Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe: Autumn’s Coziest Sweet Treat

Autumn’s golden light brings these delectable pumpkin bars into sharp focus for seasonal baking enthusiasts.

Crisp leaves and cozy sweaters invite warm kitchen adventures with spicy, sweet treats.

Soft textures and rich flavors combine in a simple dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Creamy pumpkin mingles with classic baking spices, creating a nostalgic sensation of comfort.

Home bakers appreciate how quickly these bars come together with minimal ingredients.

Sweet aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising delightful moments of indulgence.

We promise these pumpkin bars will become your new favorite fall tradition.

Reasons To Love Moist Pumpkin Bars

• Simplify Seasonal Baking: Dive into a no-fuss pumpkin bar recipe that transforms basic ingredients into a delightful autumn treat with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Quick Family Dessert: Create a crowd-pleasing dessert that brings everyone together, perfect for casual gatherings, potlucks, or weekend family snacking.
• Versatile Comfort Treat: Enjoy a flexible recipe that works for multiple occasions, from school bake sales to holiday parties, delivering rich pumpkin flavor in every bite.
• Stress-Free Frosting: Top your bars with a creamy cream cheese frosting that adds luxurious texture and sweetness without complicated decorating techniques.

Ingredients For Pumpkin Bars

• Pumpkin: A seasonal vegetable that provides moisture and rich flavor to the bars.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the baked dessert.
• Sugar: Sweetens the bars and helps create a tender texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the bars remain moist and soft.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the primary structure of the pumpkin bars.
• Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and become light and fluffy.
• Baking Soda: Provides additional leavening and helps balance the acidic ingredients.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, classic spice flavor that complements the pumpkin.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the bars.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a rich and creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the frosting's flavor.

How To Prepare Pumpkin Bars

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab a 15x10x1-inch baking pan and give it a quick spray of cooking oil or line it with parchment paper for super easy cleanup.

Step 2: Whip Together Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Pumpkin puree

Whip these ingredients until they’re smooth and fully combined.

Step 3: Create Dry Ingredient Magic

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt
• Baking soda

Slowly fold these dry ingredients into your pumpkin mixture. Stir gently until everything just comes together – don’t overmix!

Step 4: Smooth Out the Batter

Pour your gorgeous pumpkin batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the surface.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Craft Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Whip until the frosting becomes light and creamy.

Step 7: Frost and Slice

Once the bars are totally cool, spread that luscious frosting across the top. Slice into squares and enjoy your homemade pumpkin treat!

Helpful Tips For Baking Pumpkin Bars

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients gently to avoid tough, dense bars – mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Use the toothpick test to ensure bars are perfectly baked – a clean toothpick means they're ready without being dry.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow cream cheese and butter to soften at room temperature for smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads easily.
• Chill for Clean Cuts: Refrigerate bars for 30 minutes before cutting to achieve neat, precise edges when serving your delicious pumpkin treat.

Flavorful Variations For Pumpkin Bars

• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Pumpkin Bars: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of regular oil, and create a dairy-free frosting using vegan cream cheese alternative.
• Spiced Nutty Pumpkin Bars: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch and incorporate ground nutmeg or ginger for enhanced seasonal flavor.
• Low-Sugar Pumpkin Bars: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, and replace cream cheese frosting with a lighter Greek yogurt topping for reduced calories.

Pairing Suggestions For Pumpkin Bars

• Savor Spiced Chai Companionship: Brew a warm, fragrant chai tea that complements the pumpkin bars' rich, autumnal spices, creating a cozy flavor harmony that dances on your palate.
• Creamy Vanilla Latte Delight: Pair the bars with a smooth, velvety vanilla latte, whose sweet undertones and silky texture beautifully balance the dessert's warm cinnamon notes.
• Caramel Apple Cider Twist: Enjoy a mug of hot caramel apple cider alongside the pumpkin bars, letting the fruity warmth and caramel sweetness enhance the dessert's comforting autumn essence.

Best Practices For Storing Pumpkin Bars

• Store covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keeps frosting fresh and prevents bars from drying out.
• Wrap cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before frosting.
• Place frosted bars in single layer on baking sheet, freeze until solid. Transfer to freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Store up to 2 months.
• Microwave individual bar for 10-15 seconds on low power to warm gently. Alternatively, let bar sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for best texture.

FAQs About Pumpkin Bars

• Are Pumpkin Bars considered a healthy dessert?

While not strictly a health food, these bars do contain pumpkin, which offers nutrients like vitamin A and fiber. They’re a moderate treat best enjoyed in reasonable portions.

• Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to use a blend that has xanthan gum for better texture.

• How do I know when the Pumpkin Bars are perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the bars. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the bars are done. They should also have a golden color and slightly firm surface.

Pumpkin Bars Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent pumpkin bars bring autumn’s warmth to dessert tables with rich spices and creamy texture. Smooth cream cheese frosting crowns these seasonal treats, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of classic comfort.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Spices:

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C). Coat a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with grease or line with parchment paper for effortless removal.
2. Whisk eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly incorporated and smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Fold dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
4. Transfer batter to the prepared pan, using a spatula to distribute evenly across the surface.
5. Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean. Cool completely on a wire rack within the pan.
6. Create frosting by blending cream cheese and butter until silky. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla, whipping until achieving a creamy, uniform consistency.
7. Once bars have cooled entirely, generously spread cream cheese frosting across the top. Slice into individual squares and present for serving.

Notes

• Select a fresh, high-quality pumpkin puree for the most authentic and rich flavor profile.
• Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure even distribution of spices.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and cream cheese for smoother mixing and better texture.
• Swap vegetable oil with coconut oil for a subtle tropical twist and healthier alternative.
• Experiment with gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Check doneness early to prevent overbaking, which can result in dry and crumbly bars.
• Store frosted bars in the refrigerator to maintain cream cheese frosting’s stability and freshness.
• For a lighter version, replace some sugar with unsweetened applesauce or stevia.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 274 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 315 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg