🎃 Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Soft, moist pumpkin bars topped with thick cream cheese frosting make a classic autumn dessert that’s perfect for parties, Thanksgiving, or cozy fall baking.
Ingredients
Pumpkin Bars
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
Optional Topping
• Cinnamon
• Chopped pecans
• Caramel drizzle
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
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In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt.
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In a separate large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla until smooth.
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Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir just until combined.
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Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
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Bake for 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
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Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
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Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
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Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
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Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled pumpkin bars.
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Sprinkle with cinnamon or chopped pecans if desired, then cut into squares.
🍂 Chill briefly before slicing for clean edges and thick layers of frosting.
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