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Fall Pumpkin Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 138 reviews

Delight in the cozy flavors of fall with these moist and flavorful pumpkin bars topped with a creamy, luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, these bars are simple to make and ideal for autumn gatherings or a sweet seasonal treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pumpkin Bars:

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tbsp milk (as needed for consistency)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure the bars don’t stick and come out easily.
  2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring a consistent batter base.
  3. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
  4. Combine and Mix: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Take care not to overmix to maintain the bars’ tender texture.
  5. Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
  6. Cool Completely: Remove the baking dish from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully is important before frosting to prevent melting.
  7. Make the Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1-2 tablespoons milk to achieve a smooth and spreadable frosting consistency.
  8. Frost the Bars: Once the bars have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into squares and serve for a delicious fall-inspired treat.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute half of the granulated sugar with brown sugar.
  • Use melted butter instead of vegetable oil for a buttery taste.
  • Add a pinch of cloves or allspice to the dry ingredients for extra depth of spice.
  • Fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for added texture and nuttiness.
  • Ensure the bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.

Keywords: pumpkin bars, fall dessert, cream cheese frosting, pumpkin puree, autumn recipe, spiced pumpkin bars

Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/fall-pumpkin-bars-recipe/