Table of Contents
- Why I love this recipe.
- Everything you’ll need to make this recipe.
- Here’s how to make this recipe.
- These pro tips will make this recipe a success.
- Frequently asked questions about this recipe.
- You'll love these other pumpkin recipes.
- Watch how to make this recipe.
- Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
- Pumpkin Bars Recipe
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Pumpkin bars are the essence of fall baking. Rich pumpkin flavor packed into a moist bar creates a soft and lush treat. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, these bars are perfect for any autumn gathering.
Why I love this recipe.
Pumpkin bars were one of the first recipes I learned to bake. Soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, they’re the epitome of fall for me and bring back so many warm memories of my mom pulling these out of her oven and then later me. Honestly, they’re super easy to make and always a huge hit. If you want to dress them up, have them pre-cut and place individual portions on plates to serve as a dessert. You could even gild the lily with a little seasonal cinnamon ice cream on top. This recipe is updated from the original I used to use so that it uses an entire can of pumpkin. There is no reason to have a small amount wasting away in the refrigerator. The extra pumpkin and eggs leave these moist and if I’m honest, impossible to stop eating.
Everything you’ll need to make this recipe.
- Pumpkin is what makes these bars moist and flavorful. Store-purchased canned pumpkin works best and gives the correct texture. If you using homemade, make sure to blend and drain it prior to using.
- Neutral oil is any oil that has no flavor. Avocado, safflower, grapeseed, and vegetable oil work.
- Brown sugar is used along with white granulated to add more flavor and moisture.
- Cream cheese creates the iconic frosting that works so well with pumpkin bars. Use full-fat cream cheese to make sure it sets up correctly.
Here’s how to make this recipe.
- Create the batter. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. Add the canned pumpkin, neutral oil, white granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk the ingredients together until combined. Add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk together gently until combined.
- Bake the bars. Use an offset spatula to spread the batter evenly in a greased 10×14 baking pan. Place in a 350°F oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Once baked, check with a skewer inserted in the middle to ensure it comes out completely clean. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
- Create the frosting. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer until smooth. Add in the vanilla extract and sift in the powdered sugar. Mix together and spread over the bars.
These pro tips will make this recipe a success.
- Don’t overmix the batter when adding in the dry ingredients. The flour begins to produce gluten, and if it gets overmixed, the bars will become tough.
- Use a skewer to test if the pumpkin bars are finished baking. Stick it near the center of the pan and remove it. If it comes out sticky with batter residue, then it requires more baking. If it is relatively clean, then the bars are finished baking.
- Push additional lumps of the powdered sugar through the sifter to add to the frosting. If there are lumps that are too difficult to push through, don’t add to the frosting.
Frequently asked questions about this recipe.
Yes, toasted pecans or walnuts can be sprinkled on top once frosted. The nuts can be added to the batter, but the texture is better if they are on the frosting.
Technically, homemade can be used, but all homemade purées vary in texture and water content. The recipe may change if using homemade.
The bars should be stored in an airtight container once baked. They will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer.
Watch how to make this recipe.
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!
Pumpkin Bars
Ingredients
For the bars
- 1 15-oz can pumpkin puree
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup neutral oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
For the frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 10×14 (jelly roll size) pan and set aside.
- Crack eggs into a large bowl and beat. Add the pumpkin, neutral oil, white granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract, whisking to incorporate.1 15-oz can pumpkin puree, 3 large eggs, 1 cup neutral oil, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup light brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Mix in the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Whisk together until completely incorporated.2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pour into the greased pan and bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat the room temperature butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.4 tbsp unsalted butter, 8 oz cream cheese
- Add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar, adjusting the sugar to achieve the desired frosting consistency. Frost the cooled bars with the frosting.½ tsp vanilla extract, 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
Just made these pumpkin bars with the cream cheese frosting. They are so moist, delicious and so easy to make ! Will be making them many more times !
Delicious! Easy to make
These are DELICIOUS!! The house smells so good, they’re easy, and perfect for fall days…thanks for another wonderful recipe, Kaleb!
I love to read this! I agree, these are perfect for fall days and always feel cozy.
Do these bars need to be refrigerated because of the cream cheese/butter frosting?
Could these be made in a 13X9 pan and adjust the baking time??
I am wondering the same!
Hi Kaleb, Really enjoy watching your videos, and love the recipes. Made these pumpkin bars for Halloween, and my family really enjoyed them, will make again, and again.
I love Kaleb’s website/recipes!! He is SO organized with everything. I watch his videos as I make his recipes just because I enjoy hearing him even though I have the recipe in front of me. :). I did not love this recipe. I thought it had too much oil – I used avocado oil, which did not taste good in this recipe. It is a healthier oil and I have used it in other recipes without a problem. I may try it again and reduce the amount of oil. Can anyone tell me what kind they used?
I used Crisco vegetable oil. The recipe came out perfect and I have so many people asking for this recipe! I love pumpkin bars and this is THE best recipe I have found!
So glad to find this recipe! The family raves…”Better than pumpkin pie!” The perfect finish to our Thanksgiving meal!
This is my second time making pumpkin bars, first time using your recipe. I think most people would assume all pumpkin bars are fairly equal to one another. Except, I’ve been buying pumpkin bars for years and years for my birthday dessert and they aren’t all exactly the same. I thought that I would give your recipe a chance with my birthday soon approaching and I’m so happy that I did. Your recipe is so easy to follow, clear guidelines, pictures, absolutely no confusion, simple and affordable ingredients. What’s not to love. I am so pleased with how the bars and frosting turned out. I can’t wait to share these with friends and family. So good! Thank you!!
These are so addicting! You can’t eat just one! And they are so easy to make. You can’t go wrong with these for a great treat!
I made these to share with my neighbors and everyone loved them. The perfect fall dessert! I’ll be making them often.!
Do these work well made ahead of time and kept in the fridge?
Hi Clare!
These do keep well in the refrigerator. The oil in the recipe holds the moisture for a great texture. 3-4 days in the refrigerator works well, beyond that I would freeze them.
I made these pumpkin bars today! These are simple and so good ! The cake is so tender… and who doesn’t like cream cheese frosting!?! I was concerned that there wasn’t enough icing for the sheet pan of bars, but I was wrong! The proportions were perfect! I did add chopped, toasted walnuts. The bars were good with and without nuts. Thanks Kaleb for another great recipe!
Delicious! Will be making again!
I’m making these Pumpkin Bars now. Hopefully I have to right recipe. The recipe calls for 3 eggs and 1 C sugar, but the video shows 4 eggs and 2 C sugar. I’m going with my gut, as 2 C sugar is a lot.
Hello! The recipe as written is correct :). Sometimes some of the videos are older and the recipes have been updated, the written recipe is always correct.
Tender and delicious!! Thank you for the recipe!😊
Omgee DELISH
Really tasty and easy to make ahead and chill in the fridge!
I love your classic Blondie’s!!! Hell, all of your stuff looks so yummy 😋🤤 Thank you