Baking

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft, spice-warmed pumpkin bars under a thick swirl of tangy cream cheese frosting — the bake-sale bar that disappears before the coffee is poured.

October 29, 2026 By Chef Clara 4.95 (178 votes)
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
The Quick Takeaway

In a nutshell: This authentic american pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting comes together in just 1 hr 15 mins using simple whole ingredients. The chef's secret: Even slightly warm bars melt cream cheese frosting into a glaze — patience gives you. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
Cuisine American
Advertisement

Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting: soft spiced pumpkin bars topped with tangy frosting. A bake-sale-ready fall bake for a crowd.

Key Equipment

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Chef's Pro-Tips

  • Cool completely before frosting: Even slightly warm bars melt cream cheese frosting into a glaze — patience gives you thick, swirlable frosting.
  • Use room-temperature cream cheese: Cold cream cheese lumps no matter how long you beat it; softened cheese whips silky in two minutes.
  • Chill before slicing: Twenty minutes in the fridge firms the frosting so the knife cuts clean squares instead of dragging.

Ingredients
16 servings

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 can pumpkin purée, 15 oz, not pie filling
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened, for frosting
  • ½ cup butter, softened, for frosting
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, for frosting
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract, for frosting
The Smart Meal Planner & Grocery Calculator
Bestseller Instant Download

The Smart Meal Planner & Grocery Calculator

Interactive Google Sheets & Excel system with auto-generating grocery lists, macro calculations, and 50 pre-loaded recipes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Prepare the Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on the long sides for easy lifting.

2

Mix the Batter

Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt in a bowl. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin purée until smooth, then fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.

3

Bake the Bars

Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake for 28-32 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan — frosting warm bars melts the frosting.

4

Whip the Frosting

Beat the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla until thick and spreadable.

5

Frost and Slice

Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, dust lightly with cinnamon if you like, and chill for 20 minutes for clean cuts. Lift out with the parchment and slice into 16 bars.

Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks

Kitchen Essentials

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

#2 in Baking Sheets

Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack

Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.

View on Amazon
500+ bought weekly

Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife

Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.

View on Amazon
Amazon's Choice

TILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc

Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.

View on Amazon
Amazon's Choice

Mercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"

Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.

View on Amazon
#4 in Baking Parchment

Amazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll

Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.

View on Amazon
#6 in Cooking Spoons

Woodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc

Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.

View on Amazon
Amazon's Choice

OXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"

Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.

View on Amazon
#3 in Cooling Racks

Ultra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2

Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.

View on Amazon
Amazon's Choice

Umite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc

Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.

View on Amazon
Best Seller in Hand Mixers

Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer

Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.

View on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — use 2 cups of roasted, well-drained pumpkin purée. Drain it in a sieve for 30 minutes first; watery purée makes cakey, soggy bars.

Because of the cream cheese frosting, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature for 20 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Yes — freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months, then thaw and frost fresh. Frosted bars also freeze, but the frosting can weep slightly on thawing.

Usually underbaking or too much leavening. Bake until a toothpick shows moist crumbs, not wet batter, and measure the baking powder and soda carefully.