Name: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 15-oz can pumpkin puree; 3 large eggs; 1 cup neutral oil; 1 cup granulated sugar; ½ cup light brown sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp baking powder; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 8 oz cream cheese room temperature; 4 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature; ½ tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups sifted powdered sugar

There’s something about the cozy, spice-filled aroma of pumpkin baking that immediately makes any kitchen feel like home. This Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe blends just the right balance of moist, tender bars topped with a creamy, tangy frosting that has become one of my all-time favorites to bake (and eat!) during fall – or honestly, anytime I want a little comfort on a plate.

The image shows six square pieces of cake arranged on a white plate. Each piece has two layers: the bottom is a thick, moist, orange-brown cake layer with a textured crumb, and the top is a smooth, creamy, off-white frosting that covers the whole surface evenly with slight swirls. The background is a white marbled surface. The focus is soft, highlighting the creamy texture of the frosting and the crumbly texture of the cake photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What sets this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe apart is its effortless balance of flavors and textures, combined with straightforward steps that anyone can follow. I’ve made these bars countless times, and I still get that satisfying “wow” moment with every bite, which I’m sure you will too.

Perfectly Balanced Moisture: The pumpkin puree keeps these bars wonderfully tender without being soggy.
Easy to Make: No fancy tools or tricky steps needed—just simple mixing and baking.
Delicious Cream Cheese Frosting: Its rich tanginess complements the warm spices beautifully.
Great for Sharing: Cut into bars for potlucks, holidays, or just to impress friends and family.

The image shows three square pieces of carrot cake with one piece lifted in the center. Each piece has one layer of moist orange-brown cake topped with a smooth, thick layer of white cream cheese frosting. The frosting is spread evenly on the top with soft swirls. The pieces sit on a white plate, which rests on a white marbled texture background. The lifted piece clearly shows the light orange crumb texture of the cake and the creamy frosting on top. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe plays a critical role. From the spices that deliver warmth to the cream cheese frosting that adds a luscious finish, knowing why these ingredients work together helps you appreciate the recipe and tailor it if you want to.

Flat lay of a smooth mound of bright orange pumpkin puree in a simple white ceramic bowl, three large uncracked brown eggs with clean shells arranged neatly, a small white bowl filled with clear neutral oil, a small white bowl piled with white granulated sugar, a small white bowl holding light brown sugar, a small white bowl containing golden vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl heaped with fine all-purpose flour, a few scattered light brown cinnamon sticks alongside a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with coarse kosher salt, a small white bowl of baking soda, a small white bowl of baking powder, a soft block of cream cheese placed on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl with pale unsalted butter, and a small white bowl mounded with sifted powdered sugar, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pumpkin Puree: Provides moisture and natural sweetness, plus that irresistible earthy flavor.
Eggs: Bind the batter and add structure so the bars hold together but stay moist.
Neutral Oil: Keeps the bars tender without overpowering the pumpkin flavor.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds depth and slight caramel notes, while granulated sugar sweetens evenly.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, sweet undertones.
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base, but remember not to overmix to keep the bars soft.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Leaven the bars just enough for a soft crumb without puffiness.
Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the spices.
Ground Cinnamon: The star spice that brings comforting warmth and aroma.
Cream Cheese (for frosting): Adds creamy tang that brightens the sweet pumpkin spiced bars.
Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and smooth texture for the frosting.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the perfect consistency.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how open it is to little tweaks and personal touches. Whether you like to play with spices or want to adjust sweetness, it’s easy to make this your own.

Spice It Up: I sometimes add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to give the bars an extra cozy depth—try it and see how the flavor blossoms.
Make It Vegan: Swap eggs with flax eggs and use vegan cream cheese and butter alternatives for a plant-based version that still satisfies.
Nutty Twist: Stir in chopped walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch I’ve enjoyed adding in when I want some texture contrast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

I always start by preheating my oven to 350°F and greasing a 10 x 14-inch pan thoroughly. Using a jelly roll pan ensures the bars bake evenly and come out with that perfect thickness. A little tip: line it with parchment paper for easy removal—this way, the bars won’t stick, and you’ll get nice clean edges.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients First

Crack the eggs into a large bowl and beat them until smooth. Add the pumpkin puree, neutral oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk these together until everything’s combined and looks silky—no lumps here!

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients Carefully

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, kosher salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Gently whisk these into your wet mixture. This part is important—don’t overmix! Just stir until you don’t see flour anymore. Overworking the batter will make your bars tough, and that’s the last thing you want.

Step 4: Bake and Cool Completely

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop it in the oven for about 20-30 minutes. Around the 20-minute mark, start checking with a toothpick—insert near the center, and if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, your bars are done. Let the bars cool completely before frosting; patience here really pays off.

Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until light and fluffy—this usually takes a few minutes with a hand mixer. Add the vanilla extract, then slowly blend in the sifted powdered sugar. You want the frosting creamy but thick enough to spread easily. If it’s too runny, add a little more powdered sugar; too stiff? A teaspoon of milk works wonders.

Step 6: Frost and Enjoy!

Spread that dreamy frosting evenly over your cooled bars. Cut into squares or rectangles, serve, and watch them disappear quickly. Trust me, these bars don’t last long in my house!

Top Tip

Making Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe has taught me some valuable lessons that make a big difference in how they turn out. Here are some of my go-to tips that help ensure you nail this recipe every time:

Don’t Overmix Dry Ingredients: Mix until combined, no more—the batter should be slightly lumpy but uniform. Overmixing develops gluten and toughens the bars.
Frost Only When Completely Cool: I’ve learned that frosting warm bars causes it to melt and run, leading to a messier, less attractive final presentation.
Sift Your Powdered Sugar: This simple step keeps the frosting silky smooth without lumps—push through the sifter gently and discard stubborn clumps.
Check Doneness with Toothpick: A clean or nearly clean toothpick is the best indicator—avoid relying only on bake time since oven temps vary.

How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and classic—sometimes a light dusting of cinnamon or a few toasted pumpkin seeds on top adds a subtle crunch and a pretty finish. On occasion, I've sprinkled just a touch of nutmeg or even placed small dollops of extra frosting piped decoratively, which always delights guests.

Side Dishes

Since these bars are fairly rich and sweet, I enjoy pairing them with a fresh cup of coffee or chai tea. If serving as part of a spread, light fruit salads or simple whipped cream on the side balance the flavor beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve stacked the bars in pretty layers on a dessert stand, sometimes adding fresh cranberries or sprigs of rosemary for a festive touch. Wrapping individual bars in parchment and tying with twine makes a lovely, homemade gift too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover pumpkin bars in an airtight container in the fridge so the cream cheese frosting stays firm and fresh. They usually last 4-5 days this way, and I find they even taste better after the flavors settle overnight.

Freezing

If I want to freeze them, I slice the bars first, freeze them individually on a baking sheet, then transfer to a sealed container with parchment between layers. This way, the bars freeze without sticking and thaw quickly. When you’re ready, let them thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

Since the bars are best served cool with frosting, I usually enjoy them chilled. But if you prefer them a bit warmer, I pop an unfrosted bar in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds and add frosting after. It keeps that luscious texture without melting the frosting too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?

Absolutely! You can roast and puree fresh pumpkin, but it’s best to use varieties like Sugar Pie or other sweet pumpkins. Just be sure to drain any excess moisture from the puree before mixing to keep the batter’s consistency right.

How do I prevent the cream cheese frosting from being too runny?

Make sure your cream cheese and butter are fully softened but not melted. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar while beating until you reach the desired thickness. If it's still too runny, add a little more powdered sugar and refrigerate the frosting for 10-15 minutes before spreading.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Be mindful that texture might be slightly different, but the flavor remains delicious. Ensure your baking powder and other ingredients are also gluten-free.

How long do pumpkin bars last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the bars will keep well for up to 4-5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months, just be sure to wrap them well to maintain freshness.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, these Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe have become a staple in my kitchen for every pumpkin season and beyond. There’s something wonderfully comforting about sharing slices of these moist, spiced bars with loved ones. When you try this recipe, you’re not just baking—you’re creating memories, and I can’t wait for you to experience that cozy joy too.