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Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Alaina
Pumpkin Spice Bars are a delicious dessert that perfectly captures the essence of Fall. Each bite is a blissful blend of autumn spices and silky cream cheese swirls, delivering an irresistible journey into pumpkin perfection.
It’s finally looking and feeling like Fall, and you know what that means…it’s time for another scrumptious pumpkin recipe!
Indulge in the warmth of fall with my mouthwateringly delicious Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting, a delightful treat that will take your Fall dessert game to new heights.
Whether you’re serving them at a Fall potluck or as part of your Thanksgiving feast, these sweet treats will be a delightful addition to your seasonal spread.
How to Make Swirled Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
If you’re a pumpkin spice fanatic, then you are definitely going to want to bookmark this recipe!
These incredibly moist and delicious homemade Pumpkin Spice Bars with a homemade cream cheese frosting are the perfect blend of warmth and sweetness. They are not only a delectable treat for your taste buds but they are also affordable, a cinch to make, and are sure to satisfy all of your pumpkin spice cravings.
Follow along for a step-by-step guide to creating these mouthwatering treats that will leave your taste buds craving more.
KITCHEN TOOLS YOU WILL NEED
Gear up for a delightful baking adventure by ensuring you have the essential kitchen tools at your fingertips. Equipping yourself with the right tools will make the process of baking this Fall treat smoother and more enjoyable. From mixing bowls to spatulas, below are the must-have tools that will turn your pumpkin spice bar creation into a seamless culinary experience.
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- hand-held mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment
- mixing bowls (three large or medium)
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- whisk
- spatula
- 9 x 13-inch baking pan
- aluminum foil or parchment paper
Ingredients to Make Homemade Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Get ready to up your baking game as we gather the key components for crafting these sensational pumpkin spice bars with cream cheese frosting. This recipe involves two sets of ingredients: first, the ingredients for the spiced pumpkin bars, laying a flavorful foundation. Then, the ingredients for assembling the luscious cream cheese frosting that crowns these treats.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of exquisite flavors and create a delectable symphony for your taste buds.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Bars
- non-stick spray
- brown sugar (light or dark)
- egg
- unsalted butter
- pumpkin puree (canned works just fine!)
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- ground ginger
- ground allspice
- ground cloves
- salt
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting
- cream cheese bar (use the bars, not the spread; do not use low-fat or fat-free)
- granulated sugar
- milk
Instructions to Make Homemade Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
These Easy Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting come together quickly with under 20 minutes of hands-on time, and another 30 in the oven. Making them is a two-part process. First, we’ll create the spiced pumpkin bars, and then, we’ll craft the velvety cream cheese frosting.
Follow the step-by-step recipe below to ensure your final creation is nothing short of perfection!
Step One: Prep
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F, and place an oven rack in the lower third position.
- Next, line the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang on all sides. This creates a handle that makes it very easy to remove the bars later. Add a bit of non-stick spray over the top of the parchment paper.
- Place pan to the side.
Step Two: Cream the Butter and Brown Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, using either a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Slowly add in the brown sugar and continue beating on medium-high speed until fluffy.
Step Three: Add Egg, Vanilla and Pumpkin
- Next, add in the egg and vanilla and mix on high speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add in the pumpkin and mix on medium speed until completely combined. If the mixture looks grainy; that’s ok!
Step Four: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt together until completely combined.
Step Five: Form the Batter
- Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until combined. Be careful that you do not overmix. The batter will be quite thick.
- Set to the side.
Step Six: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a separate bowl, combine the 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons milk.
- Blend thoroughly until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
Step Seven: Begin Layering
- Spread a thin layer of batter, about 2/3 of the batter, evenly into the foil-lined or otherwise prepared pan.
- Then, drop random spoonfuls of the homemade cream cheese frosting on top of the pumpkin batter.
- Next, drop spoonfuls of the remaining pumpkin batter on top of the cream cheese.
Step Eight: Swirl the Layers
- Now using either a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon, gently swirl the two together. Both mixtures are pretty thick, so go slowly. Once swirled, carefully jiggle the pan back and forth to help the layers settle.
It’s going to look pretty messy right now, but don’t worry. It will look much better once baked. Promise!
Step Nine: Bake
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 – 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
Step Ten: Allow to Cool
- Once finished, remove from the oven and let the bars cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
- When at room temperature, place the pan in the fridge for about two hours before cutting it into squares to serve.
Now all that’s left to do is enjoy your new favorite fall dessert! 🙂
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting:
This is my all-time favorite pumpkin spice bar recipe! Why?
- Irresistible Flavor Fusion: the flavor combo of velvety cream cheese frosting swirled through a tapestry of warm pumpkin spice is ah-ma-zing!
- Great Texture: These pumpkin spice bars are not too cakey, not too moist.
- Easy to Make: With a few common ingredients and simple steps, this treat is a cinch to make!
- They Look Good: These beauts not only taste great, but they look nice, too!
- Great for Any Occasion: These treats are perfect for feasts, Fall lunchboxes, and afternoon treats!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: They can be prepared in advance. Bake, frost, and stick them in the fridge until you’re ready for them.
Variations, Additions, and Substitutions
Another thing I love about these Pumpkin Spice Bars is that you can easily customize them to your liking. Whether you’re drawn to diverse frosting options, tempting mix-ins, or unique spice blends, check out some of the popular culinary customizations below.
Frosting Options:
While the cream cheese frosting is a classic choice, feel free to get creative with your toppings. Try topping them with some homemade whipped cream, or maple frosting, or even add a chocolatey twist with chocolate frosting.
Customize with Mix-ins:
Elevate the texture and flavor by adding some mix-ins to the pumpkin spice bars. Consider incorporating chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or nuts into the batter before baking.
Experiment with Spices:
Tailor the spice blend to suit your taste preferences. Increase or decrease the amount of pumpkin spice for a milder or bolder flavor profile. Feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a hint of ginger for a unique twist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about this Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe that aim to ensure your Pumpkin Spice Bar creating journey is as smooth as the velvety cream cheese frosting on top!
Can I use fresh pureed pumpkin instead of canned?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin is a convenient and quick way to make this recipe. Using homemade will take this recipe to new levels!
How do I store these Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting?
You can store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you’re planning to keep them longer, consider freezing them for extended freshness.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, you can! These bars are perfect for making ahead. Bake and frost them, then store them in the fridge. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving for the best taste.
In Conclusion
Pumpkin spice may be a seasonal favorite, but my Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe will let you enjoy the crisp fall flavor all year long!
More Delicious Fall Recipes
If you’re looking for more tasty treats to add to your Thanksgiving dessert table, here are some scrumptious suggestions:
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Swirled Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
These homemade Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are easy to make, absolutely delicious and will satisfy all of your pumpkin cravings!
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Bars
- 1 cup packed brown sugar , light or dark
- 1 large egg, at room temp
- 1 cup butter, unsalted, softened to room temp
- 1 cup pumpkin puree , canned
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 8 ounce bar cream cheese, do not use spread, do not use no or low fat
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Pumpkin Spice Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, and place an oven rack in the lower third position.
- Line the bottom and sides of a rectangular (9 x 13-inch) baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang on all sides. Place pan to the side.
- In a large mixing bowl, using either a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until it becomes smooth and creamy (about 1 minute).
- Slowly add in the brown sugar and continue beating on medium-high speed until fluffy.
- Add in the egg and vanilla and mix on high speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the pumpkin and mix on medium speed until completely combined.
- In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt together until completely combined.
- Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until combined. Do not overmix. The batter will be quite thick.
- Spread about 2/3 of the batter evenly into the foil-lined or otherwise prepared pan. This layer will be pretty thin.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Make the cream cheese frosting. In a separate bowl, combine the 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons milk. Blend until all ingredients are completely combined and the frosting is smooth and creamy.
Putting It All Together
- Drop random spoonfuls of the homemade cream cheese frosting on top of the pumpkin batter in the prepared pan.
- Then, drop spoonfuls of the remaining pumpkin batter on top of the cream cheese.
- Using either a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon, gently swirl the two together. Both mixtures are pretty thick, so go slowly. Once swirled, carefully jiggle the pan back and forth to help the layers settle.
- Bake the bars for 30 - 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Let the bars cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Once completely cooled, place the pan in the fridge for about two hours before cutting into squares to serve.
Notes
- Pumpkin spice bars can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24 barsServing Size:
1 barAmount Per Serving: Calories: 192Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 156mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 2g
Nutritional information is automatically calculated with ingredients and serving size and may not be accurate. Please always double check with your own nutritional apps as well.
More Pumpkin Recipes
If you liked this simple Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe, then you will love these other Fall-flavored favorites!
Pumpkin Gingerbread with Spiced Glaze
Pumpkin Recipe Round Up – 40 Plus Pumpkin Recipes and Crafts
SH
Thursday 5th of December 2024
These Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are absolutely delicious! Perfect balance of spice and sweetness. A must-try fall treat that everyone will love!
Alaina
Thursday 5th of December 2024
Thank you! I am so happy you liked them! Happy Holidays!