Name: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature; 4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature; ½ tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups sifted powdered sugar

There’s something about the rich, spicy warmth of pumpkin paired with silky cream cheese frosting that feels like pure comfort in each bite. That’s exactly why this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe always finds its way onto my baking list when the leaves start turning. It’s an effortless crowd-pleaser that balances moist, tender bars with a luscious, tangy frosting.

The image shows six square pieces of pumpkin cake with a thick layer of creamy white frosting on top. Each cake piece has two layers: the bottom layer is a moist, orange-brown pumpkin cake with a slightly crumbly texture, and the top layer is a smooth, pale cream-colored frosting evenly spread with soft swirls. The cake pieces are arranged on a round white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The overall look is neat and inviting with a soft contrast between the warm cake and the cool frosting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe quickly became one of my favorites because it hits all the right notes between simple prep and big flavor payoff. I love how the pumpkin bars stay moist and tender, and the cream cheese frosting makes it feel extra special — perfect for gatherings or a cozy afternoon indulgence.

Perfectly Moist Texture: These bars are soft and tender without being dense or gummy.
Balanced Flavor: The pumpkin and warm spices blend beautifully with the tangy frosting.
Simple Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items—just what you likely have on hand.
Versatile Serving: Great for potlucks, lunchboxes, or a comforting treat with your coffee.

The image shows four rectangular pieces of an orange-colored cake on a white plate placed on a white marbled texture. Each piece has two layers: a thick, moist, and textured orange cake base on the bottom and a smooth, creamy white frosting layer on top. One piece is tilted up, showing the side view of the two layers clearly, while the other three pieces lay flat on the plate, displaying the smooth frosting tops. The frosting has a soft, slightly swirled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe plays a crucial role in building that perfect balance of flavors and textures. The pantry staples combine effortlessly, making it not only delicious but also approachable for a weekday or weekend bake.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth orange pumpkin puree, three whole clean brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of light golden neutral oil, two small white ceramic bowls holding white granulated sugar and light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of pale all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing fine kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl with baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl with warm brown ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy white cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow unsalted butter, and a small white ceramic bowl piled with sifted white powdered sugar, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pumpkin Puree: Provides moisture, subtle sweetness, and that unmistakable autumnal flavor; make sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness; large eggs work best.
Neutral Oil: Keeps the bars moist without overpowering the pumpkin’s natural flavor.
Granulated and Brown Sugar: Granulated adds sweetness, while brown sugar adds a hint of molasses depth.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor, giving warmth and complexity.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure base; be careful not to overmix it to avoid toughness.
Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Work together to give a nice rise and tender crumb.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds warming spice that's signature to pumpkin desserts.
Cream Cheese (for frosting): Important for that creamy, tangy frosting that cuts through the sweetness.
Unsalted Butter (for frosting): Adds richness and helps create the fluffy texture.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this pumpkin bars recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on your mood or pantry. Over the years, I’ve played around with spices and mix-ins that make it uniquely mine — and you can too!

Spice it Up: Sometimes, I add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to amp up the cozy spice profile.
Nutty Crunch: Toasted pecans or walnuts folded into the batter bring a lovely texture contrast.
Less Sweet Option: You can dial down the sugar a little if you prefer a less sweet bar, especially if serving to kids.
Gluten-Free Alternative: Substitute with a gluten-free flour blend for a safe swap — just check the blend’s baking instructions as it may change baking time slightly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pan Ready

I always start by preheating my oven to 350°F and greasing a 10x14-inch jelly roll pan—it’s the perfect size for these bars. This way, once your batter is ready, you can pour it in immediately without any wait, which keeps the baking textures just right.

Step 2: Whisk Together The Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, crack three eggs and give them a good whisk. Then add pumpkin puree, your neutral oil, both sugars, and vanilla extract. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and well combined—the sweet, silky base of your bars starts here.

Step 3: Fold In The Dry Ingredients Gently

Combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon in a separate bowl, then gradually add this mix to your wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined—this is key to keeping your bars tender. Overmixing can make them tough, so I always stop as soon as I see no more streaks of flour.

Step 4: Bake and Test For Doneness

Pour your batter into the prepared pan and pop it into the oven. It bakes for about 20 to 30 minutes—start checking at 20 by inserting a toothpick or skewer in the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs (no wet batter), it’s done! Overbaking dries them out, so keep a close eye.

Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the bars cool completely (which is essential!), beat together softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, then sift in powdered sugar in batches, beating until you reach your desired frosting consistency. Thicker frosting stays put, thinner frosting is more spreadable—either way, it’s dreamy.

Step 6: Frost and Enjoy!

Spread your luscious frosting evenly over the cooled bars—warm bars can make the frosting melt into a mess, so patience is your friend here. Then, slice into squares and serve. Trust me, you’ll want to have a second piece ready.

Top Tip

After making these bars a dozen times, a few little tips have helped me nail perfect texture and flavor every time. These simple tricks really set your bars apart and boost your baking confidence.

Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stirring too much after adding flour causes gluten to develop, making the bars tough rather than tender—mix just until no dry pockets remain.
Test with a Skewer: Toothpicks can sometimes look clean but be sticky when pulled out. I use a thin skewer near the center and check carefully for sticky batter to avoid underbaking.
Sift Your Powdered Sugar: For silky frosting, I push any lumps through a sieve before beating it in; this avoids gritty or clumpy frosting.
Cool Completely Before Frosting: Frosting melts into warm bars, so cool your pumpkin bars entirely on a rack to keep the frosting thick, fluffy, and beautiful.

How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I love simple garnishes like a light dusting of cinnamon or a few chopped toasted pecans sprinkled over the frosting. It adds texture and a cozy look without overpowering the delicate cream cheese flavor. Sometimes just a decorative swirl with a fork on the frosting is enough to make it photo-ready.

Side Dishes

These pumpkin bars pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. For a fun brunch spread, I like to serve them alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit — the balance of sweet and savory keeps everyone happy.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love cutting the bars into little bite-sized squares and arranging them on a festive platter with autumn leaves or mini pumpkins as decoration. You can also pipe the frosting on with a star tip for fancy swirls that wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover pumpkin bars in an airtight container in the fridge—it keeps the cream cheese frosting perfectly firm and the bars fresh for up to 5 days. Letting them come to room temp before eating brings back that tender pumpkin goodness.

Freezing

Freezing works great if you want to bake ahead. I frost the bars, then cut them into squares and freeze on a tray, transferring to a freezer-safe container once solid. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and they taste almost like freshly baked!

Reheating

Since these bars are better chilled or at room temperature because of the frosting, I don’t recommend microwaving. Instead, I let frozen bars thaw slowly, then enjoy. If you want warm bars without frosting, just reheat unfrosted bars wrapped in foil at 300°F for about 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of puree?

It’s best to use pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling is already sweetened and spiced, which can throw off the balance of flavors and texture in the bars. Pure pumpkin offers a more natural and flexible base for this recipe.

How do I know when the pumpkin bars are fully baked?

Use a toothpick or skewer inserted near the center of the pan as your test. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter, your bars are done. If it’s sticky or batter-covered, they need more time. Also, the bars should spring back lightly when touched.

Can I make these pumpkin bars vegan?

This recipe relies on eggs and dairy cream cheese for its classic texture and flavor. To make a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax or chia egg replacers and use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative. Note the texture might be a bit different but still tasty.

What’s the best way to store leftover pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting firm and fresh. They’ll keep well for up to five days. For longer storage, cut and freeze the bars, thawing overnight in the fridge before serving.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen for the way it captures cozy fall vibes in every bite without demanding hours of effort. It’s a dependable, crowd-pleasing treat you’ll turn to again and again once you try it. So go ahead—grab your ingredients and make some memories with these truly comforting pumpkin bars. I promise, you won’t regret it!