Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe - w/ Easy Cream Cheese Frosting (2024)

Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting. These bars are ultra dense and full of all your favorite pumpkin pie spices! Topped with the smoothest, tangy cream cheese frosting!

These Easy Pumpkin Bars are so good I want to cry.

Quick Navigation

  • General
  • Ingredients
  • Get the recipe
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How to store
  • Nutrition information

Trevor and I loved these bars so much, we literally went through an entire pan in less than a week.

Oops.

But. I mean.

Can you blame us?

Dense, rich, perfectly spiced pumpkin bars topped with a light, creamy, tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting?!

Like, come OOOOOOON.

I know you’d do the same. 😉

Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe - w/ Easy Cream Cheese Frosting (2)Show Me the Yummy’s been around for almost three years now.

How the HECK is this the first pumpkin bar recipe I’ve made?!

I’m sorry.

Because we’ve all been seriously been missing out.

It’s probably, because . . . now don’t hate me . . . I’m actually not THAT crazy about pumpkin.

I had an unfortunate incident with a pumpkin cream pie growing up.

And it’s taken me years to get over it. 😉

Because of that, I often skip the pumpkin, and am perfectly happy with something chocolatey and delish.

But. Like I said, I think I’m over my aversion to pumpkin.

SO, in Montreal, I decided to recipe test TWO different recipes: No Bake Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes and these Easy Pumpkin Bars.

Let me tell you, I don’t think Montreal is nearly as pumpkin crazed as we are here in the US, because it literally took me an hour to find the ONE can in the grocery store, ha!!

But have no fear, because I found the pumpkin, and immediately made these Easy Pumpkin Bars.

And then immediately devoured them.

Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe - w/ Easy Cream Cheese Frosting (3)They’re super simple to make, and even easier to eat. 😉

Let’s start with the pumpkin bars:

Beat together eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, canola oil, and 1 (29 oz) can pumpkin puree <– it’s a lot, but trust me. 😉 Then you’ll stir in flour, baking powder/soda, salt, and all the pumpkin pie spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

Bake it up. Cool. Then frost.

The frosting :

Cream cheese, butter, heavy cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Simple, yet oh so perfect.

Drizzle with caramel sauce and walnuts.

Here’s why I like this Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe so much:

  1. They’re SO easy. Obviously!
  2. They’re REALLY dense. When I was doing research on pumpkin bars, I kept reading complaints that other people’s recipes were too cake like. My friends, pumpkin BARS are not cake, so these bars are not cake-y. Yay!
  3. They taste ah-mazing warm, room temperature, AND cold. Depends on my mood which one I like best.

I mean, I have a million more reasons why I love these so much, but I’ll leave it at three.

Super rich, dense, yet fluffy spiced pumpkin bars with tangy, smooth cream cheese frosting.

Fall.

Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe - w/ Easy Cream Cheese Frosting (4)Perfection.

– Jennifer

Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe - w/ Easy Cream Cheese Frosting (5)

Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe

4.82 from 38 votes

Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting. These bars are ultra dense and full of all your favorite pumpkin pie spices! Topped with the smoothest, tangy cream cheese frosting!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 24 bars (1 (9x13") pan)

Print Pin Rate Recipe

Equipment for this recipe

(equipment shown are affiliate links)

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Easy Pumpkin Bars

  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 1 (29 oz) can pumpkin puree about 3 1/2 cups
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Easy Pumpkin Bars

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.

  • In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugars, oil, and pumpkin together until combined.

  • Add in flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.

  • Stir until combined *just* combined.

  • Pour into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

  • Cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until fluffy.

  • Add in heavy cream and vanilla and beat until combined.

  • Add in powdered sugar and beat until combined and fluffy.

  • Frost cooled bars.

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

Rate This Recipe

STORING

Room Temp:1 Day

Refrigerator:3-4 Days

Freezer:2 Months

Reheat:If frozen, let thaw then bake or microwave

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

People Also Viewed

Brownies and Bars

Healthy Zucchini Oat Bars Recipe

Brownies and Bars

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Cake and Cupcakes

Easy Brown Butter Pumpkin Cake

Cake and Cupcakes

Crockpot Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

Sweet Things

Pumpkin Pie Dip Recipe

Cookies

Vegan Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 bar)

Calories 328 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 49mg16%

Sodium 166mg7%

Potassium 135mg4%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 31g34%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 5515IU110%

Vitamin C 1.4mg2%

Calcium 42mg4%

Iron 1.2mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: baked, cream cheese frosting, easy

Enjoy this recipe?

Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Jennifer Debth

Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe - w/ Easy Cream Cheese Frosting (2024)

FAQs

What is cream cheese icing made of? ›

Cream cheese: Of course, you'll need cream cheese! Butter: You'll also need a stick of softened butter. Vanilla: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor. Confectioners' sugar: Confectioners' sugar easily dissolves into the cream cheese frosting.

What are pumpkin bars made of? ›

Pumpkin Bar Ingredients

For the Cake: eggs, pumpkin puree, white sugar, vegetable oil, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. For the Frosting: butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and confectioners' sugar.

Can you over mix cream cheese frosting? ›

If you do over mix, the water in the cream cheese starts to separate out, and it makes the frosting really loose. Stop mixing when it looks like this, and then it's ready to use on your cakes and cupcakes.

What if cream cheese frosting is too runny? ›

How to thicken cream cheese frosting. If the consistency is too thin or runny you can put the frosting mixture in the fridge for up to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it's still too thin, take out some of the runny mixture and beat in some more cream cheese.

What is the difference between cream cheese frosting and cream cheese icing? ›

The main difference between cream cheese frosting and cream cheese icing can be found in the consistency. Frosting is thick and fluffy and is typically used to coat inner and outer layers of a dessert. Icing is much thinner and often glossier, and is often used as a glaze.

Which is better butter or cream cheese frosting? ›

In terms of pairings, buttercream frosting is unquestionably more versatile than cream cheese icing. This is due to the fact that while cream cheese frosting may be overly tangy in some recipes, buttercream has a neutral flavor.

What is Libby's canned pumpkin made of? ›

Libby's, the quintessential canned pumpkin brand, uses a proprietary strain of the Dickinson pumpkin variety in their product, which is also often called a Dickinson squash. On Libby's website, it states that their product is 100 percent pumpkin.

What are crash bars made of? ›

A crash bar is a metal bar that sticks out horizontally a few inches wider than the motorcycle on the lower frame. Motorcycle crash bars are typically made from stainless steel or aluminum. Motorcycle crash bars work by preventing bikes from tipping and falling over all the way.

How long are pumpkin desserts good for? ›

Homemade pumpkin pie is safe in the fridge for two to four days, and you should refrigerate the pumpkin pie promptly after it cools. Place your pie in a sealed container or loosely wrap it in plastic wrap or foil to refrigerate. You can also bake your pumpkin pie weeks ahead of time and freeze it.

What to add to cream cheese frosting to make it thicker? ›

There are a few ways you can increase the stability of this frosting or make it a bit thicker. – Add in more icing/powdered sugar (if you don't mind a little extra sweetness). Add in a tablespoon at a time and taste test as you go. – Secondly, you can add in some cornstarch to thicken up the frosting.

Can you doctor up canned cream cheese frosting? ›

For a (16-ounce) tub of frosting, anywhere from ½ cup to 1 cup of crunchy additions will do the trick. Toasted nuts, coconut flakes, chocolate chips or chunks, halvah, and toffee will all add a fun new dimension of flavor. Stir in chopped up canned pineapple or fresh berries for an extra fruity kick.

Can I mix canned frosting with cream cheese? ›

Creamy ingredients like Nutella, cream cheese, marshmallow creme, peanut butter or another nut butter will give the store-bought frosting tons of flavor with some additional smoothness. Mix in 1 cup of cream cheese or 1/2 cup of marshmallow creme or nut butter per can of frosting for a creamy delight.

How do you thicken cream cheese frosting without sugar? ›

Cornstarch is a good way to thicken the frosting without increasing its sweetness. Mix 1 tablespoon (25 grams) of cornstarch into the frosting. If it is still too runny, add a little more. Continue to add cornstarch until you are happy with the texture.

Does cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated? ›

Absolutely yes, and that goes for store-bought and homemade cream cheese frosting. As cute as those frosted cupcakes look sitting on your kitchen counter, you need to pop them into the fridge to ensure they're safe to eat the following day.

How do you make cream frosting thicker? ›

Add powdered sugar

If the frosting has not reached your desired thickness after chilling, add a few tablespoons of sifted powdered sugar to help your buttercream stiffen.

What is cream icing made of? ›

Icing recipes typically combine powdered sugar and liquid (like water, milk or juice) whereas buttercream frosting is made by creaming together butter, sugar and a little bit of milk to make the frosting fluffy, smooth and perfectly spreadable.

What is creamy ice cream made of? ›

High fat ice cream base or heavy cream if making it at home. Low fat milk produces a icy, less creamy and harder to scoop product because it has more water like ice & less fat like true ice cream. The amount of air in an ice cream can also radically change the overall flavor or consistency of the end result.

Why is there so much sugar in cream cheese frosting? ›

The sugar dissolves in the cream for a silky, grit-free frosting. Whipped cream aerates the cream cheese, making it fluffy and light. A relatively small proportion of sugar keeps the frosting thick, firm, and none too sweet.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 6163

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.