Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the quintessential fall recipe you expect to see at the Thanksgiving dessert buffet. Loaded with pumpkin flavor and a delicious homemade cream cheese frosting, these are a simple but decadent treat everyone loves.
Servings: 12
Calories: 409kcal
Ingredients
FOR THE PUMPKIN BARS:
- 15 oz pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
FOR THE FROSTING:
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup butter softened not melted
- 1 Tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
Instructions
- Line the bottom of a 9"x 9" baking dish with parchment paper, spray with cooking spray and set aside.
- In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, mix the pumpkin, eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla, cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cloves until all ingredients are well blended.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Add half of the flour mixture to the mixing bowl with the pumpkin mixture, and mix well. Add the remainder of the flour, and mix until smooth. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl, and mix on high for a few seconds.
- Pour the pumpkin mixture into the baking dish and place in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven to a wire rack and cool completely.
- While the pumpkin bars are baking, you can begin making the frosting by placing the cream cheese and butter into a mixing bowl and blending until smooth and creamy.
- Add in the vanilla, and blend.
- Add half of the powdered sugar and heavy cream, and blend. Add the remaining powdered sugar, and blend until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and blend again.
- Place the mixing bowl with the frosting in the refrigerator, and let chill until your pumpkin bars have baked and been allowed to cool completely.
- When they have cooled, spread the frosting over the top and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon. Place back into the refrigerator for about an hour before slicing to serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 221mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 5818IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2mg