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Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
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Delight in moist and tender Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting, perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This beloved autumn dessert combines the natural moisture of pumpkin puree with luscious cream cheese frosting for a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Easy to make and adaptable to dietary needs, these bars are perfect for family gatherings, holiday treats, or cozy coffee time.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking blend for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour if preferred), baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
  3. Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy, forming the moist base for the bars.
  4. Incorporate Dry into Wet: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix to maintain tender, soft bars.
  5. Bake the Bars: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and spread with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow bars to cool completely to prevent frosting from melting.
  6. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the bars cool, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar and continue mixing until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
  7. Frost and Serve: Once the pumpkin bars are fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into squares and enjoy your perfectly balanced Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs, butter, and cream cheese for smoother mixing and better texture.
  • Check bars a few minutes before baking time ends to avoid overbaking and drying them out.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to ensure the frosting remains stable and spreadable.
  • Sift powdered sugar before adding to frosting to prevent lumps and achieve a silky finish.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: Pumpkin bars, cream cheese frosting, autumn dessert, moist pumpkin bars, fall recipe, gluten-free pumpkin bars

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/pumpkin-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting/