Name: Failproof Pumpkin Bars Recipe: 1 Cup for Pure Bliss
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon salt; For the Frosting:; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2-4 tablespoons milk

Jump to Recipe

Okay, friends, let’s talk fall baking! Is there ANYTHING better than the smell of pumpkin spice wafting through your house? I think not! And that’s why I’m SO excited to share my go-to Pumpkin Bars Recipe with you. Trust me, these aren’t just any pumpkin bars. We’re talkin’ seriously moist, melt-in-your-mouth goodness, topped with the creamiest frosting you can imagine. I’ve been making this recipe for years – tweaked it here, adjusted it there – and I’ve finally landed on pumpkin bar perfection. As a seasoned home baker, I can tell you with confidence, this easy dessert is a total crowd-pleaser. Seriously, prepare to be amazed!

Pumpkin Bars Recipe - detail 1

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Seriously, you NEED these pumpkin bars in your life! Why? Let me tell ya:

Quick and Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe

I’m all about easy, and this recipe delivers! Minimal prep time and simple steps mean you can whip these up even on a busy weeknight. Score!

Moist and Flavorful Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Dry, boring pumpkin bars? NOPE! These are seriously moist and bursting with pumpkin spice flavor. My favorite part is that they stay moist for days (if they last that long!).

Perfect for Fall Baking

Okay, pumpkin EVERYTHING screams fall, right? These are perfect for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or just a cozy autumn treat. Get ready to be the star baker!

Ingredients for the Perfect Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing pumpkin bars. Trust me, using the right ingredients makes ALL the difference.

1 cup pumpkin puree: Not pumpkin pie filling, okay? Just plain ol’ pumpkin puree.
1 cup granulated sugar: For that perfect sweetness.
1/2 cup vegetable oil: Keeps things nice and moist.
2 large eggs: Gotta bind it all together!
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a little somethin’ somethin’.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of our bars.
1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps ’em rise nice and tall.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Hello, fall flavor!
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Adds warmth and coziness.
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves: A little goes a long way!
1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances out the sweetness.

And for that dreamy cream cheese frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened: Super important that it’s softened, or you’ll end up with lumpy frosting!
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Same goes for the butter!
3 cups powdered sugar: For that sweet, creamy goodness.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Because vanilla makes everything better.
2-4 tablespoons milk: To get the frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency.

Got everything? Good! Let’s get baking these pumpkin bars!

How to Make This Pumpkin Bars Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, are you ready to make some magic? Follow these steps, and you’ll have the most amazing pumpkin bars EVER. Seriously, I’ve made these a million times, and I’m gonna walk you through it so they turn out perfect!

Preparing the Pumpkin Bars Recipe Batter

First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). Don’t forget this step! While it’s heating up, grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. I like to use a little cooking spray AND flour – just to be extra safe, ya know? Now, in a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Get it nice and smooth!

In a separate bowl (yes, another bowl, sorry!), whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This makes sure all those spices are evenly distributed. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until *just* combined. This is important: DO NOT OVERMIX! Seriously, a few streaks of flour are okay. Overmixing leads to tough bars, and nobody wants that!

Baking the Pumpkin Bars Recipe to Perfection

Pour that gorgeous batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Now, here’s the tricky part: how do you know when they’re done? My trick is to insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs), you’re good to go! Let the bars cool *completely* in the pan before frosting. I know, it’s torture, but trust me, it’s worth it!

Making and Applying the Cream Cheese Frosting for Pumpkin Bars Recipe

While the bars are cooling (patiently, I hope!), let’s make that dreamy frosting! In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. This might take a few minutes, but you want it super smooth, no lumps allowed! Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Now, for the consistency: add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired spreadable consistency. I usually need about 3 tablespoons, but you might need a little more or less. Just go slow and check it as you go. Spread that amazing frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars. And there you have it! Cut into squares and try not to eat the whole pan in one sitting… I dare you!

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Want to take your pumpkin bars from good to AMAZING? Here are a few of my tried-and-true secrets!

Ingredient Temperature for Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Okay, this is HUGE for the frosting! Make sure your cream cheese and butter are *actually* softened (like, sit-on-the-counter-for-an-hour softened). Otherwise, you’ll end up with lumpy frosting, and nobody wants that. Trust me on this one!

Avoiding Overmixing the Pumpkin Bars Recipe

I know I said it before, but it’s worth repeating: DON’T OVERMIX the batter! Seriously, mix until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which leads to tough, chewy bars. We want soft and tender, remember?

Pumpkin Bars Recipe Variations

Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic pumpkin bars recipe? Awesome! Now, let’s get a little crazy and try some fun variations. These are just suggestions, so feel free to get creative and make it your own!

Adding Nuts or Chocolate Chips to Your Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Want to add a little somethin’ extra? Chopped walnuts or pecans are AMAZING in these pumpkin bars! About 1/2 cup should do the trick. Or, if you’re a chocolate lover like me, throw in some chocolate chips! I like semi-sweet, but milk chocolate or even white chocolate would be delicious. Why not both?

Spicing Up Your Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Feeling adventurous? Try adding a pinch of ground ginger or allspice to the batter for an extra kick of warmth. Or, for a real treat, add a teaspoon of maple extract to the frosting. Seriously, it’s like a pumpkin spice latte in bar form!

Serving Suggestions for Your Delicious Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Okay, so you’ve got these amazing pumpkin bars… what now? Well, they’re pretty perfect on their own, BUT if you wanna get fancy, here are a few ideas! My favorite is a big glass of cold milk – it’s classic for a reason! But you could also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (yum!) or a warm cup of coffee or tea. Seriously, whatever you’re in the mood for!

Storing Your Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Alright, so you’ve somehow managed *not* to eat all the pumpkin bars in one sitting (I’m impressed!). Here’s how to keep ’em fresh. Because of that cream cheese frosting, these guys need to be stored in the fridge. Just pop them in an airtight container, and they’ll be good for about 3-4 days. Just be sure to get them in the fridge quickly, that frosting can get melty if left out too long!

Pumpkin Bars Recipe FAQs

Okay, I know you probably have some questions swirling around in your head, so let’s tackle some of the most common ones! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

Can I Freeze These Pumpkin Bars?

Great question! Yes, you totally can freeze these pumpkin bars! I recommend cutting them into squares first, then wrapping them individually in plastic wrap. Pop them into a freezer-safe container or bag, and they’ll be good for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat them, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. The frosting might get a *little* bit softer, but they’ll still be delicious! Trust me, I’ve done it a million times!

How Long Do Pumpkin Bars Last?

Since these pumpkin bars have cream cheese frosting, they need to be stored in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for about 3-4 days… if they last that long! Just make sure they’re in an airtight container. Honestly, they’re usually gone within a day or two at my house!

Can I Use Canned Pumpkin Pie Filling Instead of Pumpkin Puree?

Okay, this is a big one! NO! Do NOT use pumpkin pie filling! Pumpkin puree is just plain cooked pumpkin, while pumpkin pie filling has added spices and sugar. If you use pumpkin pie filling, your bars will be way too sweet and the texture will be all wrong. Stick with the puree, trust me on this one! You’ll thank me later!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Okay, so you’re probably wondering about the nutritional info, right? Each pumpkin bar is roughly around 250 calories. But keep in mind, that’s just an estimate! It can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use. But hey, it’s pumpkin! And fall! Enjoy!

Enjoyed This Pumpkin Bars Recipe? Leave a Comment!

Hey, if you loved this Pumpkin Bars Recipe (and I know you did!), do me a favor and leave a comment below! Tell me what you think, and don’t forget to rate the recipe! I love hearing from you guys!