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Decadent Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Decadent Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft, warmly spiced pumpkin bars are baked in a jelly-roll pan and finished with smooth cream cheese frosting. This recipe makes about 24 bars and is perfect for autumn gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin Bars
  • 4 Large eggs
  • 1 2/3 cups Granulated sugar
  • 1 cup Vegetable or canola oil
  • 15 ounces Plain pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons Baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 3 ounces Cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted or salted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 2 cups Powdered sugar

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10 x 15-inch jelly-roll pan, or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, oil, and pumpkin puree until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, mixing only until combined. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
  4. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the center springs back lightly and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool the bars completely in the pan.
  5. For the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla, then gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
  6. Spread the frosting over the fully cooled pumpkin bars. Cut into squares or rectangles, and refrigerate the frosted bars for 30–60 minutes if you want especially clean cuts and firmer frosting.

Notes

Use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. For a thicker, more pronounced cream cheese layer, use 6 ounces of cream cheese while keeping the butter and powdered sugar quantities the same. Store frosted bars refrigerated.