The first chilly weekend of October always pulls me straight into the kitchen. Something about a brisk wind and a cozy sweater makes me crave the scent of cinnamon and the soft, spiced flavor of pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting. Last fall, my little one came in with cold pink cheeks and asked, “Is something baking?” That batch disappeared in a single afternoon. Now, they’re our official fall tradition.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Bars
Quick and Easy Fall Dessert
These bars come together in just 35 minutes. You don’t need any fancy equipment, and the ingredients are probably already in your pantry. It’s perfect for a spontaneous cozy bake.
Soft, Moist Texture with Creamy Frosting
The spiced pumpkin cake is fluffy and moist, while the frosting is smooth and tangy. That contrast in every bite makes these bars completely irresistible.
Perfect for Sharing or Make-Ahead
Whether you cut them into big squares or little snack bars, they’re easy to share. You can make them ahead and chill them overnight. In fact, they taste even better the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Pumpkin Bars
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 16 oz pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup cooking oil (or substitute applesauce)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Step-by-Step Instructions
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the eggs, pumpkin, sugar, and oil until smooth and golden.
Next, stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix gently. Don’t overmix — that keeps your bars soft and fluffy.
Pour the batter into a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Spread evenly to the edges. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before adding the frosting.
Frosting and Serving Tips
If making frosting from scratch, beat the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add vanilla and powdered sugar gradually until thick and spreadable.
Once your cake is cool, frost it evenly with a spatula. Chill the bars for 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner edges. Serve chilled or at room temp with tea or coffee.
Expert Tips for the Best Pumpkin Bars
Avoid Overmixing
Too much stirring makes the bars dense. Mix until just combined for a light texture.
Cooling Before Frosting
Warm bars melt frosting. Always cool the cake completely before spreading on the cream cheese layer.
Pan Size Options and Doneness Check
Use a jelly roll pan for thinner bars or a 9×13 pan for thicker pieces. A toothpick should come out clean when they’re ready.
Variations and Customizations
Add-Ins: Nuts, Chocolate, or Spices
Chopped walnuts or pecans add crunch. A handful of mini chocolate chips turns these into a dreamy treat. Want more spice? Add ginger or pumpkin pie spice.
Frosting Alternatives and Toppings
Try maple frosting, vanilla glaze, or classic buttercream. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, or even candy corn for fun fall flair.
Make-Ahead, Storing & Freezing Tips
Refrigeration Guidelines
Once frosted, store bars in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh for up to 4 days and taste even better after a night of chilling.
Freezing Unfrosted Bars
You can freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly and thaw fully before adding frosting.
Thawing and Frosting Later
After thawing overnight in the fridge, frost just before serving. This keeps the texture and flavor just right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Because of the dairy in the frosting, they need to be kept chilled to stay safe and fresh.
Can I add pumpkin puree to cream cheese frosting?
You can, but keep it to a small amount. It may change the consistency and make the frosting looser. If you try it, reduce other liquids and mix carefully.
Does cream cheese frosting hold?
Yes, as long as it’s properly chilled. It holds up best when the bars are stored in the fridge.
What cake flavors go best with cream cheese frosting?
Pumpkin, carrot, red velvet, banana, and spice cakes are all delicious with cream cheese frosting.
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Card
Print
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Moist, spiced pumpkin bars topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. A cozy, crowd-pleasing treat perfect for fall gatherings.
Ingredients
4 eggs, beaten
16 oz pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil (can substitute applesauce)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
8 oz cream cheese, softened (optional)
½ cup unsalted butter, softened (optional)
2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
4 cups powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar, and oil. Mix until smooth.
3. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Stir until just combined.
4. Spread batter into an ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
5. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool completely in the pan.
7. For homemade frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy.
8. Add vanilla and gradually mix in powdered sugar until thick and smooth.
9. Spread frosting evenly on cooled bars.
10. Chill for 30 minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Use a jelly roll pan for thinner bars or a 9×13 for thicker ones.
Toothpick test: cake is done when it comes out clean.
Don’t overmix the batter to keep bars light and soft.
Store in fridge up to 4 days. Freeze unfrosted bars up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Pumpkin Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 394
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 192mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 41mg
Related Recipes to Try
If you love these, you might also enjoy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins bursting with cozy flavor. They’re great for lunchboxes or chilly weekend breakfasts.
Or try my Soft and chewy Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies for a warm, homey treat.
Looking for a classic loaf? My Moist and fluffy Easy Pumpkin Bread always hits the spot.
And don’t miss the Streusel-topped Pumpkin Coffee Cake for fall mornings. It’s a cozy brunch favorite in our house.
Final Thoughts
These pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting feel like fall in every bite. They’re easy, nostalgic, and endlessly cozy. Bake a batch, share with someone you love, and let the season’s warmth fill your kitchen.
For more cozy recipes and baking inspiration, follow along on Pinterest. There’s always something sweet and seasonal waiting there.
