Pumpkin Bars

These pumpkin bars are light and fluffy cake bars made with pumpkin puree and spices, then topped with a layer of cream cheese frosting and sprinkles. A fall favorite dessert that's perfect for feeding a crowd!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 257kcal

Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the bars

2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
15 ounce can pumpkin puree do not use pumpkin pie filling
cooking spray

For the frosting

1/2 cup butter softened
8 ounces cream cheese softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
sprinkles for decoration optional

Instructions

For the bars

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 10”x15” pan with parchment paper, then coat the pan with cooking spray.
Place the flour, sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, salt, baking soda and baking powder in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
Add the vanilla extract, eggs, vegetable oil and pumpkin puree to the bowl. Stir until just combined.
Spread the batter evenly into the pan.
Bake for 25 minutes or until set and lightly browned. Cool completely in the pan.

For the frosting

Place the butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a mixer and mix until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time and mix on low speed until combined. Add the vanilla extract and mix for 30 seconds.
If the frosting is too thick, add 1 teaspoon of milk at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Spread the frosting evenly over the pumpkin bars. Top with sprinkles. Cut into squares and serve, or store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat.

Video

Notes

Use an offset spatula to make sure both your pumpkin bar batter and frosting are spread in even layers.
Top your bars with festive fall sprinkles or candy pumpkins to dress them up!
Don’t be tempted to use pumpkin pie filling here, it’s not the same thing as pumpkin puree and you will not get good results.

Nutrition