Decadent Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: Your Ultimate Fall Dessert Recipe

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience that will have everyone clamoring for the recipe! Prepare yourself, because this is undoubtedly the BEST pumpkin bar recipe you will ever encounter, blending moist, spiced pumpkin goodness with a luscious, tangy frosting that’s simply irresistible.

As the crisp air of autumn arrives and leaves begin to change, my kitchen inevitably fills with the comforting aromas of seasonal baking. These delightful pumpkin squares are always at the top of my list, offering a perfect harmony of warm spices and tender texture. Each bite delivers a burst of classic fall flavor, elevated by a generous, dreamy layer of rich cream cheese frosting that transforms a simple treat into a truly unforgettable dessert. Whether you’re a lifelong pumpkin enthusiast or simply seeking a perfect seasonal indulgence, these bars are guaranteed to captivate your taste buds and become a cherished part of your fall traditions.

Two pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting and candy pumpkins on white dessert plates, garnished with small decorative pumpkins.

Why These Pumpkin Bars Are a Must-Make

If you’re looking for a dessert that consistently earns rave reviews and disappears from the platter in record time, look no further. These pumpkin bars have been affectionately nicknamed “Killer Pumpkin Bars” by many of my foodie friends online, and for good reason. From your very first bite, you’ll understand why they’re considered the absolute best of their kind, offering a perfect balance of flavor and texture that truly sets them apart.

Unforgettable Flavor Profile: These aren’t just good pumpkin bars; they’re exceptional. The blend of warming spices perfectly complements the natural sweetness of pumpkin, creating a depth of flavor that is both comforting and exciting. The moist, cake-like texture ensures every bite is tender and satisfying.
Perfect for Any Occasion: While they are a quintessential fall treat, these pumpkin squares are so universally loved that you’ll receive no complaints if you decide to serve them any time of year. They’re ideal for holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Halloween, potlucks, bake sales, or simply as a comforting dessert on a cozy evening at home.
The Irresistible Cream Cheese Frosting: Let’s be honest, who can resist a thick, luscious layer of cream cheese frosting? It’s the crowning glory of these pumpkin bars, providing a tangy counterpoint to the sweet spice of the pumpkin cake. This isn’t just any frosting; it’s a rich, smooth, and utterly decadent complement that elevates the entire dessert to a new level of deliciousness.

Ingredient Notes for the Perfect Pumpkin Bars

Crafting the perfect pumpkin bar begins with understanding your ingredients. While the list is straightforward, paying attention to a few details will ensure your bars turn out incredibly moist, flavorful, and topped with the creamiest frosting imaginable. Quality ingredients are key to achieving that signature taste and texture that makes this recipe truly stand out.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Bars:

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting:

Pumpkin Puree: A standard 15 oz can of 100% pure pumpkin puree is exactly what you need, providing just under 2 cups. It’s crucial to select pumpkin *puree* and not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling contains added sugars and spices, which will alter the flavor profile of your bars since this recipe calls for specific spices to be added separately. Always read labels carefully to ensure you have the correct product.
Eggs, Butter, and Cream Cheese: For optimal blending and a smooth, consistent batter and frosting, ensure these dairy ingredients are at room temperature. This allows them to incorporate more easily with other ingredients, preventing lumps and ensuring a beautifully emulsified mixture. I typically use salted butter in my baking, which adds a subtle depth of flavor, but unsalted butter is also fine; just consider adding a pinch more salt to the bar recipe if you use it.
Flour, Sugar, Baking Soda, Salt: These are your standard baking essentials. All-purpose flour provides the structure, sugar adds sweetness and moisture, baking soda acts as the leavening agent for a tender crumb, and salt balances all the flavors, enhancing the overall taste.
Spices: The heart of any good pumpkin dessert lies in its spices. This recipe calls for cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and ground cloves. For the most vibrant and aromatic results, check the freshness of your spices. Spices lose their potency over time, so if they’ve been sitting in your pantry for a decade, it’s definitely time for a refresh. Fresh spices make a remarkable difference in the final flavor of your pumpkin bars.
Powdered (Confectioners) Sugar: This is essential for a smooth and creamy frosting. Always sift your powdered sugar before mixing to remove any small lumps. This simple step guarantees a silky-smooth frosting texture that spreads beautifully without any gritty bits.
Vanilla Extract: A good quality vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the cream cheese frosting, adding a touch of warmth and depth.

How to Make These Irresistible Pumpkin Bars

Making these delicious pumpkin bars is a straightforward process, even for novice bakers. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll soon be enjoying a delightful autumn treat. Remember, proper technique ensures the best texture and flavor.

Numbered process shot of pumpkin bar batter with wet ingredients in one bowl and dry ingredients in another, ready to be combined.

Prepare the Base: Begin by creaming together the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, contributing to the bars’ tender texture.
Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Next, add the pumpkin puree and room temperature eggs to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat the mixture until it is smooth and well combined, ensuring all ingredients are fully integrated.

Pumpkin bars process shots showing batter in a bowl and then spread evenly in a jellyroll sheet pan.

Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the pre-mixed dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, spices, and salt) to the wet mixture. Mix just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough texture.
Prepare for Baking: Spread the batter evenly into a prepared 10 x 15-inch jellyroll pan. Lining the pan with nonstick foil or parchment paper will make removal and cleanup much easier.

Process shots showing baked pumpkin bars cooling in the pan, and then frosting being spread over the cooled bars with an offset spatula.

Bake to Perfection: Bake the bars as directed in the recipe. They should be golden brown and spring back when lightly touched in the center, or a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Frost with Delight: While the bars cool completely, prepare your luscious cream cheese frosting. Once the bars are fully cooled, spread the thick, dreamy frosting generously over the top. Garnish with candy pumpkins if desired for an extra festive touch.

Expert Tips for Flawless Pumpkin Bars

My friends often tell me this is the best pumpkin bar recipe out there, and my family certainly agrees! These simple yet crucial tips will help you achieve perfect, moist, and utterly delicious pumpkin bars every single time. Pay close attention to these details for a truly stellar outcome.

PRO-Tip: Choose the Right Pumpkin. Always use 100% pure pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie mix. Pumpkin pie mix is pre-spiced and sweetened, which will throw off the flavor balance of this recipe since you’ll be adding your own carefully measured spices. Double-check the label on your can to ensure you have pure pumpkin.
Pan Size Matters: These bars are designed to be baked in a 10 x 15-inch jellyroll pan. This is different from a standard 9 x 13-inch cake pan, which is smaller and deeper. Using the correct pan size ensures the bars bake evenly and achieve their ideal cake-like consistency without being too thick or thin. If you’re unsure, check an Amazon link for a jellyroll pan example to visualize the dimensions.
The Magic of an Offset Spatula: This is one of my most indispensable kitchen tools! Use a small offset spatula to effortlessly smooth out the pumpkin batter in the pan, ensuring an even layer for baking. Later, it becomes your best friend for spreading that thick, creamy frosting flawlessly across the cooled bars.
Check for Doneness Like a Cake: These easy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting have a lovely cake-like consistency, rather than being dense like a cookie bar. Therefore, you should check for doneness just as you would a cake.
PRO-Tip: The Toothpick Test. To accurately determine if your pumpkin squares are done, insert a clean toothpick into the very center of the bars. If it comes out clean with no wet batter attached, your cake is perfectly baked. If you see wet crumbs or batter, continue baking for a few more minutes and test again. Always check in more than one spot, especially the center, to ensure full doneness.
The Spring-Back Test: As an alternative method, lightly tap the surface of the cake in the middle with your index finger. If the cake springs back immediately and leaves no indentation, it’s ready to come out of the oven. If your finger leaves an impression, it needs a little more time.
Creative Garnishing: For an extra festive touch, consider garnishing your finished bars. I found cute little Wilton Pumpkins made of royal icing at Target, but they can be hard to find. Alternatively, Brach’s Pumpkins (affiliate link) or a simple sprinkle of cinnamon or toasted pecans work beautifully to add a decorative finish.

Overhead view of 2 Killer Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting on square white plates, ready to be enjoyed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Bars

Here are answers to some common questions about baking and storing these delightful pumpkin bars, ensuring your baking experience is as smooth as your frosting.

Can You Use Pumpkin Pie Mix for Pumpkin Bars?

Generally, no, unless the specific recipe explicitly states it. Pumpkin pie mix is a pre-seasoned product containing spices, sweeteners, and sometimes other ingredients. Our recipe, like most for pumpkin bars, is developed to use 100% pure pumpkin puree, allowing you to control the exact balance of spices and sweetness. Using pie mix instead of puree will result in a dessert with a different flavor profile and potentially an overly sweet or spiced taste. Always make sure to read the label carefully at the grocery store, as both products are often shelved near each other.

What Else Can I Make with Leftover Pumpkin Puree?

Pumpkin puree is incredibly versatile! Beyond these fantastic bars, it’s perfect for a wide array of fall recipes. You can use it to make classic pumpkin pie, moist pumpkin bread, fluffy pumpkin muffins, or even incorporate it into scones, cookies, and cheesecakes. It can also be added to savory dishes like soups or curries for a subtle, earthy sweetness. As always, ensure you’re using pure pumpkin puree for these recipes and not pie filling, unless specified.

How Do You Store Pumpkin Bars?

Due to their incredibly moist texture and the presence of cream cheese frosting, these pumpkin bars are best stored in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent them from drying out. When properly stored, they will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. For longer storage, these bars freeze exceptionally well for up to 3 months.

To freeze, first arrange the completely cooled, frosted bars in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container, separating layers with a sheet of wax or parchment paper to prevent sticking. To defrost, simply remove the desired number of bars from the freezer, unstack them, and place them in the refrigerator, covered, overnight. They will be ready to enjoy by morning!

Can I Make Pumpkin Bars Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! These pumpkin bars are an excellent make-ahead dessert, perfect for busy holiday preparations. You can bake the bars and prepare the frosting a day or two in advance. Store the unfrosted bars at room temperature (covered) and the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Assemble and frost the bars a few hours before serving, or even the day before, keeping them refrigerated. The flavors often deepen overnight, making them even more delicious.

One pumpkin bar with cream cheese frosting, garnished with a small decorative sugar pumpkin, on a round white dessert plate.

Explore More Delicious Fall Recipes

When autumn arrives, my culinary focus shifts to celebrating the bounty of the season, especially all things apple and pumpkin. While these pumpkin bars are an undeniable favorite that always makes the yearly cut, there are many other delightful recipes to explore to fully embrace the flavors of fall.

Best Pumpkin Recipes: Discover a collection of top-rated pumpkin dishes, perfect for every craving.
Old Fashioned Pumpkin Roll: A classic, elegant dessert featuring a delicate pumpkin cake rolled with sweet cream cheese filling.
Pumpkin Cheesecake: Indulge in a rich, creamy pumpkin cheesecake, often topped with decadent caramel.
Plus, all my Best Cookies and Bar Cookies Recipes: A wide variety of treats that are perfect for any occasion, year-round!

Stay connected with us through social media for more delicious recipes and baking inspiration! Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag us when you try one of my recipes – I love seeing your creations! If you adore the results of these pumpkin bars, please show your support by leaving a 5-star rating in the recipe card below. Your feedback helps other bakers find these amazing recipes!

The Recipe:

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
25 minutes

Total Time
45 minutes

Yield
24 bars

Experience moist, cake-like pumpkin bars perfectly spiced and topped with a decadent, tangy cream cheese frosting!

Average Rating: 4.8 stars from 126 reviews

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Bars:

2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
2 cups canned 100% pure pumpkin puree (one 15-ounce can)
4 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

6 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted to remove lumps
Candy pumpkins, optional, for garnish*

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
Prepare Pan: Lightly grease a 15 x 10-inch (jelly roll) pan. For easier cleanup, you can line it with parchment paper or nonstick foil. Set aside.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the pumpkin puree and room temperature eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed just until the flour mixture is fully incorporated and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
Spread Batter: Pour the pumpkin bar batter evenly into the prepared jellyroll pan. Use an offset spatula to smooth the top.
Bake Bars: Bake for 25 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched in the middle, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. This is crucial to prevent the frosting from melting. Garnish with candy pumpkins if desired.
Make Frosting: While the bars cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy.
Finish Frosting: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. Beat on low speed until combined, then increase to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth.
Frost and Serve: Once the pumpkin bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top. Cut into squares and serve. Garnish with candy pumpkins if desired for a festive touch.

Notes

These bars freeze beautifully. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place in an airtight container, for up to 3 months.

You can make a half batch in an 8 x 8-inch square pan, but start checking for doneness at the 20-minute mark as baking time may vary.

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Spiced Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting