Description
These Thanksgiving pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are a moist, spiced treat perfect for fall desserts. They are easy to make and a crowd-pleasing alternative to pumpkin pie.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in batches, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- While bars cool, beat softened cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla extract and salt.
- Once bars are completely cool, spread frosting evenly over the top. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- These bars pair well with spiced chai, black coffee, espresso, or dessert wine.
- They are a great addition to holiday dessert platters with other pumpkin treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
Keywords: Thanksgiving pumpkin bars cream cheese frosting, easy pumpkin bars, homemade pumpkin bars, pumpkin cream cheese bars, spiced pumpkin bars