Description
Delicious and easy-to-make pumpkin bars topped with creamy frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Mix until well combined.
- Add the eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture. Beat until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- While the bars are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. If the frosting is too thick, add milk a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Once the bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For added texture, fold in 1 cup of chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the batter before baking.
- Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting