Description

Delight in these moist and flavorful Pumpkin Bars topped with a rich and creamy low-fat cream cheese frosting. Perfect for fall gatherings or a sweet treat any time of year, these bars combine the warm spices of pumpkin pie seasoning with a tender cake texture that is easy to make and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil (or avocado oil, or any mild-flavored oil)
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8-ounce) package low-fat cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 cups sifted powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly mist a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until the mixture is completely blended and smooth.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, sea salt, and baking soda until evenly combined.
Combine the Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet pumpkin mixture. Stir gently until just combined, taking care not to over-mix which can affect the texture.
Bake the Bars: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, stirring until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
Frost and Serve: Once the pumpkin bars have cooled to room temperature, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into bars, serve, and enjoy this delicious treat!

Notes

Ensure pumpkin puree is canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, to avoid added sugars and spices.
Do not over-mix the batter to keep the bars tender and moist.
Use room temperature cream cheese and butter to achieve a smooth frosting texture.
For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and butter with vegan alternatives.
Powdered sugar quantity can be adjusted to taste for sweetness and frosting thickness.
Store pumpkin bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
These bars can be frozen without frosting and frosted after thawing.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 12 bars per recipe)
Calories: 320
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: pumpkin bars, pumpkin dessert, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, pumpkin spice bars, easy pumpkin recipe