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These pumpkin bars with homemade cream cheese frosting are a must-make fall treat! Perfectly spiced, supremely moist pumpkin cake is topped with a sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting. Cut into squares and share with fellow pumpkin recipe lovers!

A pumpkin bar topped with cream cheese frosting on a piece of parchment paper.

A pumpkin spice bar cake topped with cream cheese frosting sits on a piece of parchment paper set over a cooling rack.

Ingredients for this recipe

All of the ingredients for homemade pumpkin bars are arranged in various glass bowls and measuring cups on a rimmed baking sheet.

How to make the best Pumpkin Bars

This is just a brief overview, find detailed instructions in the recipe card below!

A hand whisks the dry ingredients for pumpkin bars. — Whisk the dry ingredients.

Wet ingredients are blended together. — Whisk the dry ingredients.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Blend

While I measure out all the ingredients for the spices individually, you can absolutely substitute a pumpkin pie spice blend in this recipe if desired. Just use 1 heaping tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice in lieu of the other spices listed in this recipe.

A piece of homemade pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting on a piece of parchment paper.

If you want to make your own pumpkin pie spice blend at home simply combine:

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cloves

Whisk to combine and store in a small mason jar for up to six months.

A batch of pumpkin bars topped with cream cheese frosting are cut into small squares on a piece of parchment paper.

For more show-stopping pumpkin desserts check out my pumpkin spice bundt cake and soft pumpkin cookies with maple glaze. You can thank me later!

A frosted, perfect pumpkin bar sits on a small white plate.

Watch the recipe video!

Cream cheese frosted pumpkin bars on a piece of parchment paper.

Print Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

These pumpkin bars with homemade cream cheese frosting are a must-make fall treat! Perfectly spiced and moist pumpkin cake is topped with a sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting. Cut into squares and share with fellow pumpkin lovers!

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Total Time35

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pumpkin bars, pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, pumpkin cake

Servings: servings

Calories: 181kcal

Author: Amanda Gajdosik

Equipment

9x13 baking pan

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 cup canola oil
3 eggs at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 can pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling!

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9x13 baking pan with baking spray and set aside.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, soda, kosher salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Set aside.
Using a hand mixer or whisk, mix the sugars and the oil together until fully combined. Scrape down bowl and stir in the eggs, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree until well combined and smooth.
Gently fold in dry ingredients, scraping bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 25 – 30 minutes, or until edges are just golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove bars from the oven and let cool on rack to room temperature.
When bars are cool, cover with a half-batch of my favorite cream cheese frosting.

Video

Notes

Bars can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for five days or refrigerated for up to eight.
Add the zest of one orange to the frosting, if desired.
1 heaping tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice can be substituted for the spice blend in this recipe, if desired.
Refer to post for notes on making your own pumpkin pie spice blend.

Nutrition

A pin to share the recipe for homemade pumpkin bars.

Comments

5 from 7 votes (5 ratings without comment)