There’s something magical about the arrival of fall—the air turns crisp, the leaves start to shift, and pumpkins pop up everywhere. And for me, that means it’s officially time to make my all-time favorite fall treat: Perfect Pumpkin Bars.
These little squares of happiness pack all the best flavors of the season into a single bite. They’re soft, moist, and bursting with cinnamon-spiced pumpkin goodness, topped off with a creamy layer of tangy cream cheese frosting.
Pumpkin bars have been trending lately, and it’s easy to see why. With canned pumpkin sales up 13% in the last year, people are all about making simple, comforting bakes at home.
These bars fit perfectly into that cozy baking vibe without requiring a ton of effort. They’re perfect for a quick dessert, a holiday gathering, or an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee.
Why I Love This Recipe
- They’re easy to whip up: Whether it’s a last-minute dessert for guests or a cozy snack, these bars come together fast.
- The cream cheese frosting: The sweet, tangy frosting is the perfect complement to the spiced pumpkin base. I can’t get enough!
- Perfect for fall cravings: These bars hit that sweet spot when you’re craving something warm and spiced without being too heavy.
- Freezes beautifully: Make a batch ahead of time and freeze extras—just thaw and frost when you’re ready.
Perfect Pumpkin Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Oven
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium Mixing Bowl – To mix dry ingredients.
- Whisk – For blending ingredients together.
- Spatula – For folding dry ingredients into the wet mixture and spreading the batter.
- Toothpick – To test if the bars are done baking.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree not pie filling, I like Libby’s
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 cup vegetable oil*
- 1/2 tsp salt
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces brick style cream cheese
- ½ cup salted butter at room temperature (1 stick)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spray and flour a half sheet pan to prepare it.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients, breaking up any lumps of brown sugar.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until no dry flour remains. Don’t overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for about 20 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan on a rack until it’s almost completely cool.
- To make the frosting, combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. (You can also use a stand mixer or electric beaters.)
- Frost the cooled bars and enjoy!