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Easy Spiced Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

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These spiced pumpkin bars are perfectly moist, packed with warm fall spices, and topped with a silky cream cheese frosting. An easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s ideal for potlucks, holidays, and cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
  3. In a large bowl, beat together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap pan gently on counter to release air bubbles.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes, then lift out using parchment and cool completely (about 1 hour).
  7. For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and salt, then gradually beat in powdered sugar. Beat on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. If too soft, refrigerate 15 minutes.
  8. Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled bars. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to set. Slice into 24 squares.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Cool bars completely before frosting to prevent melting. Chill before slicing for clean edges. Store in refrigerator up to 5 days. Freeze unfrosted bars up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bars, spiced pumpkin bars, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, pumpkin dessert, easy pumpkin bars

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/easy-spiced-pumpkin-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting/