Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe
These traditional pumpkin bars are always a fall favorite. They’re full of robust fall-inspired flavor thanks to a full can of pumpkin puree, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and molasses used in the pumpkin bars. What I really appreciate about these pumpkin bars is that it’s a one bowl, no mixer recipe to mix up the batter. It literally comes together in a couple minutes. Although they’re called ‘bars’, they do have a pumpkin cake-like texture, just not quite as fluffy and they’re thinner than your average slice of pumpkin cake.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Bars
These are super easy pumpkin squares with cream cheese frosting, and they call for very basic ingredients.
For the pumpkin bars:
Vegetable or canola oil Eggs Granulated sugar Light brown sugar Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix) Vanilla extract Molasses Cinnamon Pumpkin pie spice All-purpose flour Baking powder Baking soda Salt
For the cream cheese frosting:
Cream cheese Butter Vanilla extract Confectioners’ sugar Salt Sprinkles, optional
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Pumpkin Bars
The batter for the cakey pumpkin bars comes together as an easy one bowl, no-mixer recipe. Here’s an overview of the recipe:
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting for Pumpkin Bars
I don’t always feel like making cream cheese frosting from scratch, even though it’s SUPER easy. When I have the time and desire to make homemade cream cheese frosting for the pumpkin bars, here’s how I do it:
Storage Instructions
Because of the frosting, I recommend storing the bars airtight in the fridge for up to 1 week. Unfrosted bars may be stored at room temp for up to 5 days at room temp or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
More Pumpkin Dessert Recipes:
My FAVORITE PUMPKIN RECIPES on my blog! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!
Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars – Super soft and are like biting into a piece of rich pumpkin fudge! Loaded with chocolate and crazy good! Fudgy Pumpkin Bars with Vanilla Bean Browned Butter Glaze — Bars so soft they’re like biting into pumpkin fudge!! The glaze is ahh-mazing!!! Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting— Moist pumpkin cake is topped with a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting. This easy fall dessert is perfect for Thanksgiving, Halloween, and more! The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake with Chocolate Ganache – One of my all-time favorite cakes, EVER! This is a must-make that everyone loves! Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake – Fast, EASY, and the moistest pumpkin cake you’ll ever taste!! Loaded with chocolate chips in every bite and topped with a heavenly chocolate ganache! Sinfully rich and decadent!! The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread – Super soft, moist, rich pumpkin flavor, and loaded with chocolate chips! Easy, no mixer recipe that’s the BEST! Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – A thick, hearty oatmeal cookie and a soft, chewy pumpkin cookie all in one! Lots of chocolate, not at all cakey, easy, and your new favorite pumpkin cookie recipe! Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – No cakey cookies here! Soft, chewy, thick, loaded with chocolate and bold pumpkin flavor! Your new favorite pumpkin cookies! Cream Cheese-Filled Pumpkin Bread – Pumpkin bread that’s like having cheesecake baked in! Soft, fluffy, easy and tastes ahhhh-mazing! Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake – This soft and moist pumpkin cake is loaded with chocolate in every bite!! An EASY one-bowl fall dessert that’s perfect for impromptu entertaining or anytime a pumpkin craving strikes!!
