Description
Delectable Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting merge autumn’s warmest spices with rich, creamy layers. Seasonal dessert perfection delivers comfort and sweet satisfaction for hungry guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Configure the oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.
- Wet Mixture Fusion: Whisk together oil, sugars, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until the mixture transforms into a smooth, homogeneous liquid with consistent color and texture.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt, ensuring comprehensive and uniform distribution of spices and leavening agents.
- Batter Formation: Delicately incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, using minimal stirring to maintain the batter’s tender potential, mixing until just combined without overmixing.
- Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even layer, then slide into the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted.
- Cooling and Frosting Preparation: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan, simultaneously whipping cream cheese and butter until creamy, then gradually blend in powdered sugar and vanilla extract to create a light, spreadable frosting.
- Final Assembly: Once bars reach room temperature, lavishly spread the cream cheese frosting across the entire surface, then slice into individual squares for serving.
Notes
- Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for ingredients, especially flour and spices, to ensure consistent texture and flavor in your pumpkin bars.
- Control Mixing Technique: Fold dry ingredients gently into wet mixture to prevent overmixing, which can create tough, dense bars instead of tender, soft ones.
- Check Moisture Level: Ensure pumpkin puree is not watery; drain excess liquid to maintain proper bar consistency and prevent soggy results.
- Frost Strategically: Allow bars to cool completely before applying cream cheese frosting to prevent melting and maintain a clean, smooth frosting layer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg