Description
Autumn whispers through these heavenly pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, a delightful dessert that embodies seasonal comfort. Spiced with warmth and topped with silky frosting, you’ll savor each rich, moist bite of this classic fall treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) pumpkin puree
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
Sweeteners and Spices:
- ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting and Additional Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 350F (175C) and preparing a 9×13-inch pan with a light coating of grease or a parchment paper lining.
- Create the pumpkin base by whisking together vegetable oil, granulated and brown sugars, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract in a spacious mixing vessel until the mixture achieves a silky consistency.
- In a separate container, thoroughly combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, along with a pinch of salt.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to maintain a tender texture. Avoid aggressive mixing to preserve the bars’ delicate structure.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, checking for doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center – it should emerge without any clinging batter.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, giving the texture time to set and stabilize.
- While cooling, craft the luxurious cream cheese frosting by whipping softened cream cheese and butter until they form a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, blending until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
- Once the pumpkin bars have reached room temperature, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the entire surface.
- Slice into squares and serve, revealing the moist, spice-infused layers beneath the creamy topping.
Notes
- Swap vegetable oil with applesauce or mashed banana for a healthier, lower-fat version that keeps the bars moist and tender.
- Use gluten-free flour blend to make these bars completely gluten-free without compromising the delicious texture and taste.
- Enhance the spice profile by adding a pinch of ground cloves or cardamom for a more complex, warming flavor that complements the pumpkin.
- Refrigerate the bars for at least an hour before serving to help the cream cheese frosting set and create a more stable, clean-cut presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg