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Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin bars with a spiced, tender sheet-cake crumb baked at 350°F and topped with a thick, fluffy cream cheese frosting. This easy method yields neat, bar-style squares with a cinnamon finish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
chill 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 290
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the pumpkin bars
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1.67 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For cream cheese frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Bake the pumpkin bars
  1. Preheat oven to 350F, then grease a 15x10 jelly roll pan.
  2. Whisk all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Beat eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture until just combined, then pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool completely before frosting.
Frost and chill
  1. Beat cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and fluffy, then beat in powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
  2. Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled bars.
  3. Dust the top with cinnamon, then refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting into bars.

Notes

Pro tip: Let the bars cool fully before frosting so the cream cheese layer stays thick and swirl-ready. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freeze unfrosted bars (wrap tightly) for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting. For a dairy-light swap, use reduced-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat butter sticks for a slightly lighter frosting texture.