Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Some people consider Pumpkin Bars the perfect Fall sweet treat, and I couldn’t agree more. However, when searching for recipes to make this popular dessert, you will most likely only find recipes that make anywhere from 18-24 bars.

Although I love to make large dessert recipes to share with family and friends, there are times when I need a recipe just for my husband and I at home. And during the months of October and November, pumpkin recipes usually take center stage.

Therefore, I decided to experiment with the larger batch recipes that I have made in the past and turn them into a smaller batch recipe, just for the two of us. What I love about this recipe is that it is easy to make with a few pantry staples and a little pumpkin puree, and it doesn’t take much time to prepare.

Why Pumpkin Puree, Not Pumpkin Pie Filling?

One of the most important things to note is that you need to use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling in this pumpkin bars recipe. It’s an easy mix-up, but the two products are quite different.

Pumpkin puree is just plain cooked pumpkin (or squash) with nothing added. While pumpkin pie filling has sugar, spices, and other ingredients already mixed in to the can.

For this recipe, you want to have control over the flavor and sweetness, which is why we use plain pumpkin puree. This way, you can add just the right amount of sugar and spices to make your bars taste the way they should.

You can find canned pumpkin puree at most grocery stores, especially in the fall. But if you can’t, you can make your own by roasting or steaming fresh pumpkin and pureeing it. Just be sure it’s smooth and strained so that it isn’t too watery before using it in the recipe. (See my: Homemade Pumpkin Puree Recipe)

Making Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice

To continue with that pumpkin flavor, pumpkin pie spice is added to my Pumpkin Bars recipe. Although you can sometimes find it at the grocery store, it isn’t a spice that’s readily available, especially outside of the fall months.

So instead of searching for the pre-made pumpkin pie spice, you can easily make your own with a few basic spices you probably already have in your pantry. For this recipe, you’ll need a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.

To make a small batch of the pumpkin pie spice mix combine the following ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons of ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon of ground cloves

Mix these together and store in an airtight container. You can use this in your pumpkin bars, as well as other fall recipes like pumpkin donut holes, muffins, or even the ever popular pumpkin lattes. Just be sure that you are using fresh spices, which can make a big difference in the overall flavor.

Store-Bought Cream Cheese Frosting vs. Homemade

If you’re short on time or just don’t feel like making your own cream cheese frosting, there’s nothing wrong with using store-bought frosting. It’s a simple shortcut, and many brands taste just fine. You can easily find tubs of cream cheese frosting in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.

However, if you have a few extra minutes, making your own cream cheese frosting is worth the small effort. The homemade version tends to be a bit richer and creamier than store-bought, and you can control how sweet it is. Plus, it only takes a few ingredients—cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

Whether you go the homemade or store-bought route, make sure your frosting is smooth and at room temperature before spreading it on the bars. You want a nice, even layer, and using a small, off-set spatula can help with that. (See Affiliate Product Link: Off-Set Spatula Set)

How To Make Pumpkin Bars

1. Prepare Your Baking Dish:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then, spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. This is a small dish perfect for a batch recipes.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Set this bowl aside for now.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, combine the egg, sugar, oil, and pumpkin puree. Stir these together until smooth. *I use all natural applesauce instead of oil to make these pumpkin bars just slightly healthier.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can make your bars be dense.

5. Bake the Bars:
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely before frosting them.

6. Make the Frosting:
While the pumpkin bars are cooling, you can make your cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, mix together 2 ounces of softened cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of softened butter, 1 teaspoon of milk, ¼ teaspoon of vanilla, and 1 cup of powdered sugar. Stir until smooth.

7. Frost and Serve:
Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting over the top with a spatula. If you want to add a little extra crunch, sprinkle some chopped nuts on top, like walnuts or pecans. Then, cut the bars into 6 pieces and enjoy!

Storing the Leftovers

Once your pumpkin bars are baked and frosted, they need to be stored in in the refrigerator. The reason is the cream cheese frosting.

Cream cheese is a dairy product that needs to stay cool to prevent spoiling. Simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

You can even freeze them if you want to make this dessert ahead of time. Although it is best to do so before you frost them.

Just freeze them individually by wrapping them in plastic wrap and then store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. When you are ready to serve them, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost them the next day.

Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 oz. cream cheese softened
• 3 Tbsp butter softened
• 1 tsp milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 8 x 8 inch baking dish with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon and whisk until well incorporated. Set aside.
3. In a medium size bowl add the egg, sugar, oil, and pumpkin puree. Stir to combine.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until you can no longer see the dry ingredients. *Do not overmix.
5. Place the batter in the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In a medium bowl add the cream cheese and butter and stir until smooth.
2. Add the milk, vanilla and powdered sugar and stir until the frosting is smooth.
3. Using an offset spatula spread the cream cheese frosting on top of the pumpkin bars.
4. Top with chopped walnuts or pecans if desired.
5. Cut into 6-8 bars.

Enjoy! Mary

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