These moist and dense pumpkin bars are loaded with pumpkin spice flavor and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s like pumpkin pie meets pumpkin cake in one easy and delicious dessert.

pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting scattered on a sheet of parchment paper

What are pumpkin bars?

Pumpkin bars are dessert bars made with pumpkin puree. Some are fluffy like a cake and some are dense and chewy like a brownie. Most are topped with some sort of frosting, most commonly cream cheese frosting.

pumpkin bars half cut on parchment with white pumpkins and a small bowl of cinnamon in the background

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Easy to make – The bars are made by hand and the frosting is made in one bowl. Each takes only about 10 minutes of prep.
  • Can be made in advance – These bars can be made and completely frosted a day in advance, which is great for the busy holiday season. This recipe also makes enough to serve a crowd.
  • It’s the best of all pumpkin desserts mashed into one! – If you like pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake, and brownies, then these bars are the perfect dessert for you. They taste like pumpkin pie with the crumbs of a cake and the texture of a chewy brownie. Oh, and don’t forget the cream cheese frosting. It adds a layer of sweet creaminess that pairs perfectly with the flavor of pumpkin spice.
A whole pumpkin bar uncut with swirls of cream cheese frosting dusted with cinnamon.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder & baking soda
  • pumpkin pie spice (or ground cinnamon)
  • eggs & vegetable oil
  • granulated sugar & brown sugar
  • pumpkin puree
  • cream cheese & unsalted butter
  • powdered sugar
  • vanilla extract

How to make pumpkin bars:

(the ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card further below)

how to make pumpkin bars process shots
  1. In a medium bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, sugars, and pumpkin puree.
  3. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir until just combined.
  4. Pour the batter into a 9×13″ baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.
  5. Beat the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Mix in the powdered sugar until smooth.
  6. Spread the cream cheese frosting on the completely cooled cake.
Cream cheese frosting in mixer bowl and on pumpkin cake.

How to store pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting:

Place the bars in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to freeze pumpkin bars:

Unfrosted – Place the bars in a freezer ziplock bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Prepare the frosting as instructed and top before serving.

Frosted – Place the bars on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer for about an hour until frozen solid. Individually wrap each bar in saran wrap, place them in a freezer ziplock bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Unwrap the bars, place the bars in a Tupperware container with a lid, and thaw overnight in the fridge.

FAQ:

Do pumpkin bars need to be refrigerated?

Yes, pumpkin bars need to be refrigerated because of the cream cheese frosting.

Can I use a different type of frosting for pumpkin bars instead of cream cheese?

Certainly! Options include vanilla buttercream, cinnamon glaze, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to my pumpkin bar recipe?

You can customize your pumpkin bars by adding chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, or chocolate chips to the batter. Simply fold them in gently before pouring the batter into the baking pan.

A close up of a pumpkin bar with cream cheese frosting and light dusting of cinnamon.

You might also like:

Did you make this recipe? Please kindly leave a comment with your star rating below.

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Pumpkin Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Lily Ernst
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 30 min
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 24
  • Category: dessert
  • Method: bake
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

These moist and dense pumpkin bars are loaded with pumpkin spice flavor and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Bars:

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup (250ml) vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup (100g) lightly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin puree

Frosting:

  • 1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (114g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (250g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • more cinnamon for dusting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and line a 9×13″ baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, sugars, and pumpkin puree.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
  6. Beat the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and salt until light and fluffy. Mix in the powdered sugar until smooth and spread on cooled cake. Cut into 24 squares (approximately 2×2″ each).

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Recipe adapted from Delish.