Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl

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These Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl are soft, warmly spiced, and topped with a thick layer of sweet cream cheese frosting – everything you love about fall in one delectable bite.

If you ask me, fall baking isn’t complete without something pumpkin. These bars are everything I love about the season – perfectly moist, warmly spiced, rich in flavor, and swirled with sweet cream cheese for a little bite of tang. The best part? They’re easy to whip up, freezer-friendly, and look just as good as they taste.

Whether you’re baking for a get-together or just craving something pumpkin-y with your Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, these Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl are the go-to fall dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Bars with a Cream Cheese Frosting Swirl

If you’re a pumpkin spice fanatic, then you are definitely going to want to bookmark this recipe! These bars are not only delicious, they’re also ridiculously easy to make.

You’ll prep the batter, swirl in a dreamy cream cheese layer, and bake it all into spiced perfection. Here’s how to make it happen:

🥄 Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

You probably already have everything you need in your kitchen drawer:

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• hand-held mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment
• mixing bowls (three large or medium)
• measuring cups and measuring spoons
• whisk
• spatula
• 9 x 13-inch baking pan
• aluminum foil or parchment paper

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Homemade Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

In this easy recipe, pumpkin spice batter meets sweet cream cheese, swirled together for the perfect bite.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Bars

• non-stick spray
• brown sugar (light or dark)
• egg
• unsalted butter
• pumpkin puree
• all-purpose flour
• baking soda
• vanilla extract
• ground cinnamon
• ground nutmeg
• ground ginger
• ground allspice
• ground cloves
• salt

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting Swirl

• 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 Swirl

In this easy Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl recipe, pumpkin spice batter meets sweet cream cheese, swirled together for the perfect bite. They come together quickly with under 20 minutes of hands-on time, and another 30 in the oven.

Here’s how to make it happen:

Step 1: Prep the Pan

• Preheat oven to 350°F and move an oven rack to the lower third.
• Line a 9×13 pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy lifting.
• Lightly spray with non-stick spray and set aside.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

• In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Slowly add brown sugar and mix until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla, then add pumpkin and mix until fully combined. (A slightly grainy texture is normal!)

Step 3: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

• In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, ginger, and salt.

Step 4: Make the Batter

• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix on low speed until just combined. Batter will be thick — don’t overmix.

Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Swirl

• In a separate small bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, ½ cup granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Layer

• Spread ⅔ of the pumpkin batter evenly in the pan.
• Then, drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese frosting randomly over the top.
• Next, top each spoonful with a dollop of the remaining pumpkin batter.

Step 7: Swirl

• Gently swirl the layers with the back of a spoon or a silicone spatula and then jiggle the pan to help it settle. (It might look messy now, but it’ll bake up beautifully!)

Step 8: Bake and Cool

• Place the pan in the preheated over and bake for 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
• Once finished let the bars cool to room temperature on a wire rack, then chill for 2 hours before slicing into squares to serve.

Now all that’s left to do is enjoy your new favorite fall dessert! 🙂

Tips & Easy Swaps

• Make ahead: these bars freeze beautifully!
• For thicker bars, bake in an 8×8 pan and increase bake time slightly.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a little crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use fresh puréed pumpkin instead of canned?

Yes! Canned pumpkin is convenient, but homemade purée works beautifully. Just make sure it’s not too watery — blot it slightly if needed so your bars don’t turn out soggy.

How should I store Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese?

Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them (unfrosted is best) for up to 2 months. Let them come to room temp before serving.

In Conclusion

Pumpkin spice may be a seasonal favorite, but my Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl recipe will let you enjoy the crisp fall flavor all year long! In fact, if fall had a flavor, this would be it!

📸 Show Me Your Swirls!

Did you bake these Pumpkin Spice Bars? I’d love to see your marbled masterpieces! Tag me @bullocksbuzz or use #bullocksbuzz so I can share your swirl success!

If this recipe made your fall sweeter, tap the heart, pin it for later, or send it to a pumpkin-loving friend. And don’t forget to leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on the recipe card!

More Fall Recipes You’ll Love!

Here are some more Fall favs to try next:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
• Nilla, PB, and Mallow Squares
• Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
• Pumpkin Gingerbread with Spiced Glaze

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