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Homemade Pumpkin Bars

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Homemade Pumpkin Bars

It's Pumpkin season and if you are looking for anything pumpkin spice flavor you are going to want to try these pumpkin pie bars Homemade Pumpkin Bars or Punkin Bars, depending on where y'all are from, are moist yet light and fluffy. Topped off with rich, creamy decadent frosting, these are nothing less than exquisite! The name might be a little deceptive though, because this heavenly fall dessert could also fall into the “cake” category (a pumpkin cake bar if you will). I’ve tried a few classic pumpkin bars recipes over the years, and I love the flavor of this one. The most irresistible spiced pumpkin flavor, and the sweet, slightly tangy cream cheese frosting really make these bars shine. And just look at that frosting…it’s definitely good enough to eat by the spoonful!

Pumpkin bar recipes are not all created equal. This one is one of our favorite pumpkin recipes even though we have many for this time of year. Our step-by-step recipe will do more than give you a brief overview in how to make this amazing Thanksgiving dessert (Or anytime dessert if you need the perfect excuse to have something pumpkin flavored!) that is great for large gatherings. So let's get to it on how to make one of our fall favorites!  

This pumpkin bars recipe is perfect for a crowd…or a family like mine that’s captivated with all things pumpkin! Not only do these Homemade Pumpkin Bars taste divine, but you’ll love how easy they are to prepare and frost! Just serve them on a beautiful platter.

Homemade Pumpkin Bars

What You Need:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 C sugar
  • 1/2 C oil
  • 1/2 can of pumpkin puree
  • 1 C all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

We haven't tried to swap out for egg whites only or egg substitutes, if you have a good swap let us know what you do for an egg substitute in baked goods. We would love to know how to do pumpkin cake bars like these or even pumpkin muffins in an egg-free version for friends with allergies. 

Classic Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

  • 1 pkg cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 C unsalted sweet cream butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 C powdered Sugar
  • 1/2 C chopped Walnuts sprinkled to top for decoration

If you are short on time you could just top with whipped cream like a classic pumpkin pie. The cream cheese frosting is yummy but you can save a little time if you skip it for whipped cream. Make sure either way you let the cake cool all the way before trying to top with anything. Just like you want to let your pumpkin pie filling to set up and cool all the way before serving you want these cool. Maybe even make ahead for the next day. If you have the time to get your cream cheese to room temperature and set that mixer to a low speed than go for it, you will be glad you did. If you need something super fast and easy don't let that stop you from making the bars. The good news is that it will be a crowd pleaser either way. I like to wait until a half hour before serving to add whipped cream to keep it fluffy. 

Kitchen Items You May Need:

  • large bowl for mixing
  • hand mixer or electric mixer or stand mixer
  • parchment paper
  • wire rack or cooling rack
  • baking pan / sheet pan (a jelly roll pan could work if you have the right pan size) 

Aside from the large mixing bowl you might want a separate large bowl or even a medium bowl so you have one for dry ingredients and one for wet ingredients while you get ready your prepared pan. I like to prep the pan so that when I am ready to pour batter in I am all set.  Mixing your dry ingredients together well before adding them to the wet can help make sure they are incorporated well. These are the best pumpkin bars so make sure you don't skip any steps. If you don't want to dirty a separate bowl you can add them into the mixer one at a time as well. Mixing on a low to medium speed will keep flour from flying out.

If you want to modify for something like gluten-free pumpkin bars you may need to be very careful so you don't dry them out. Almond flour and coconut flour can be tricky and are not equal swaps for all purpose flour. If you have a favorite recipe for pumpkin bars, please let us know. We haven't found the best pumpkin bread recipe yet that uses only gluten-free ingredients so we love when folks share their tips with us so our readers can enjoy. Would you try swapping out white sugar for brown sugar? Have you tried coconut oil in a similar recipe? It is always fun to make a new recipe for the first time if it turns out right. But then on the second time or after you can change it up and compare how well you like it to the original. We know vegetable oil works for the pumpkin mixture, but would love to know how coconut oil compares. 

You can substitute some of the spices for pumpkin pie spice if it's easier for you. The flavor of the warm spices is amazing, but some folks like it stronger, not as much clove, add a 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg etc. Don't forget you can always adapt a recipe to make it to your liking. You can also add some chocolate chips or maple syrup if you'd like for the perfect fall treat or even for a Halloween party. This easy pumpkin bars recipe can be made into a pumpkin sheet cake with rich cream cheese frosting and served with your Thanksgiving dinner. You can also wrap these delicious pumpkin bars individually with a recipe card and give them as gifts. Wrap them tightly with plastic wrap to keep them fresh! 

This is a dangerous dessert to have in your home, trust me, just toss out your scale! If you have any leftovers you can store them in an airtight container. Now, I have a close tie between my favorite pumpkin desserts. Check out these delicious pumpkin recipes: The pumpkin Roll, Nana's Pumpkin Cupcakes, (I love these cupcake liners) and the Sour Cream Pumpkin Bunt Cake. I guess I’ll just have to rotate the three of them. Somehow, I don’t think anyone will be complaining about that.

Add this pumpkin bars recipe to your fall recipe baking list, after one taste you’ll be so glad you did! It's the perfect recipe for any pumpkin lover. Print the full printable recipe to keep in your holiday cookbook. 

Want to keep this pumpkin bars recipe in your favorites? Feel free to print a copy to keep handy or pin it on Pinterest! JOIN OUR RECIPE GROUP!

Yield: 12

Homemade Pumpkin Bars

Homemade Pumpkin Bars

The perfect Fall treat.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 27 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes

Ingredients

  • Pumpkin Bar Ingredients
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 C sugar
  • 1/2 C oil
  • 1/2 can of pumpkin
  • 1 C flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 ground cloves
  • Frosting Ingredients
  • 1 pkg cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 C unsalted sweet cream butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 C powdered Sugar
  • 1/2 C chopped Walnuts sprinkled to top for decoration

Instructions

  1. Directions for bars:
  2. Heat oven to 350
  3. In large bowl, beat eggs, granulated sugar, oil and pumpkin until smooth.
  4. Stir in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger and cloves.
  5. Grease baking dish with oil or butter and pour batter into the pan.
  6. Bake in the oven for 27 minutes.
  7. Frosting Directions:
  8. Combine all ingredients, except the walnuts, into a large standing mixing bowl.
  9. Once combined and smooth, spread over cooled bars and then cut into squares.
  10. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts.

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 410Total Fat 23gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 56mgSodium 239mgCarbohydrates 49gFiber 1gSugar 39gProtein 3g

Depending on your serving size

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