Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin Bars are super moist and spiced dessert bars topped with a generous layer of velvety smooth cream cheese frosting. Each bite captures the essence of Fall, or should I say, Pumpkin Spice Season! They would be perfect for gatherings, as a dessert, a snack with a cup of coffee, or enjoyed on a cozy night by the fire.
Servings: 24 bars
Calories: 321kcal
Ingredients
Bars
- 1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin
- 1 ⅔ cups (333 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (163.5 g) vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (62 g) orange juice
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
Frosting
- 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups (500 g) confectioners' sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 10 X 15-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
Bars
- To a large bowl, add the pumpkin, sugar, oil, orange juice, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until well blended.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the pumpkin mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bars are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs, but not wet batter.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Frosting
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla for 1-2 minutes on medium speed.
- Add confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time, until the frosting is light and creamy.
- Spread the frosting on top of the cooled bars.
- Cut and serve. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1bar (with frosting) | Calories: 321kcal