These cake-like perfect pumpkin bars, topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting are moist, flavorful, and sure to become a seasonal favorite.
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Is it too early for pumpkin? I say no. I love pumpkin season and all that it brings, especially here in New England. It’s the season where you can’t help but notice all of the brilliant colored leaves and the woodsy scent of the crisp air. It is the season for plaid flannel, chunky sweaters, and watching football on the weekends. Yes, pumpkin season is almost here.
Of all of the pumpkin foods out there, these perfect pumpkin bars are my family’s favorite. Moist and flavorful cake with fluffy cream cheese frosting, these bars are a taste of autumn.
These pumpkin bars are so easy to make and are a tasty treat. This recipe is a slightly adapted version of Paula Deen’s recipe.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Ingredients for pumpkin bars:
- 4 eggs or 1 cup egg beaters
- 1 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1 15 ounce can of pumpkin
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Before you begin making the bars, set out the cream cheese and butter so they are at room temperature when you are ready to make the frosting.
With an electric mixer, combine eggs (or 1 cup egg beaters), sugar, oil, applesauce, and pumpkin. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
Next, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients to make cake batter.
Pour the batter into a greased 9 by 13 inch rectangular dish.
Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until the center is completely cooked.
The mouthwatering aroma will begin to fill your home.
While the pumpkin bars are baking, make the cream cheese frosting. It is so easy to make, with only four ingredients.
Ingredients for cream cheese frosting:
- 1 block of softened cream cheese
- 1 stick of softened butter
- 2 cups of confectioner’s sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
With an electric mixer, combine the softened cream cheese, softened butter, confectioner’s sugar, and vanilla. Mix until it is light and fluffy.
Wait until the cake is completely cooled before frosting and cutting into bars. Try to be patient…it’s so worth it!
These perfect pumpkin bars taste like fall.
As pumpkin season approaches, I hope you give these flavorful, cake-like bars a try!
Perfect Pumpkin Bars
Ingredients
Pumpkin Bar Ingredients
- 4 eggs or 1 cup egg beaters
- 1 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1 ` can pumpkin (15 ounce can)
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 block cream cheese (softened)
- 1 stick butter (softened)
- 2 cups confectioner's sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla
Instructions
Instructions to Make the Pumpkin Bars
- Before you begin making the bars, set out the cream cheese and butter so they will be room temperature when you are ready to make the frosting.
- With an electric mixer, combine eggs or egg beaters, sugar, oil, applesauce, and pumpkin. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
- Next, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients to make a cake batter.
- Pour the batter into a greased 9 by 13 inch rectangular baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until the center is completely cooked.
- While the pumpkin bars are baking, make the cream cheese frosting.
Instructions for Making Cream Cheese Frosting
- With an electric mixer, combine softened cream cheese, butter confectioner's sugar, and vanilla. Mix until it is light and fluffy.
Notes
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Sounds yummy. Pinning for future reference (because it is a little too early for pumpkin for me.) lol
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I understand…I try to hold onto summer as long as possible! 🙂 I hope you give this recipe a try!
Hi Lynne, lovely presentation and my mouth is watering. Thanks for this, Beth
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Beth! I hope you give this a try! Wishing you a great week ahead!
These look super moist and delicious. I love anything pumpkin. year around its my favorite flavour. Pinning.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Leanna! I am so appreciative! 🙂 I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe. Best wishes for a great week!
I have never tried pumpkin cake but this looks so good
I hope you give this a try, Amber! It really is such a delicious recipe! Wishing you a great week ahead!
This look so moist and delicious. I can’t wait to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing it with us at the Waste Not Wednesday link party. Keep coming back to inspire us.
Your kind words mean so much, Denise! Thank you! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Yay for pumpkin season!!
Thanks, Christine! I am excited for all things pumpkin! 🙂
I always enjoy finding a new pumpkin recipe to try. Can’t wait to make these!
Thanks so much for your comment. I hope you enjoy these, Ali! Wishing you a great week!
This looks delicious! SO pinned! Love your yummy pumpkin bar recipe!
This recipe looks so good! I love pumpkin desserts and I’m sure that this would be a hit at my house.
Lynne I am so excited to try this recipe out for something different this fall. Thanks so much for sharing, pinning for later.
Yum, this looks delicious and it is perfect for fall.
Have a great day,
Kippi
These look so delicious! My family will eat just about anything with pumpkin in it, so I’d love to give this one a try:)
Yum! These look so good, Lynne! I love cream cheese frosting, and the recipe looks very easy. Pinned!