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pumpkin bars cut into squares sitting on dark wood board with pumpkin pie spice dusted over the cream cheese frosting.
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5 from 26 votes

The BEST Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

The BEST Pumpkin Bars EVER! Exploding with amazing flavor and topped with a dusting of pumpkin pie spice and loads of delicious brown butter cream cheese frosting - perfect for a crowd! Tender, moist and one of those pumpkin recipes you'll find yourself making again and again.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword pumpkin bars, pumpkin bars recipe, pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 20
Calories 212kcal
Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 4 eggs room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup applesauce (could also use vegetable oil)
  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree NOT pumpkin pie filling

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

  • ½ cup butter
  • 8 ounces cream cheese , softened
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 5 to 6 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 15 x10 jelly roll pan with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
    2 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Stir in eggs, applesauce, and pumpkin until combined.
    4 eggs, 1 cup applesauce, 15 ounces pumpkin puree
  • Pour batter into prepared pan and use an offset spatula to evenly spread making sure to get into corners.
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack and then refrigerate until ready to frost.

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Heat butter in a small saucepan over low heat until completely melted. Continue heating, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown in color. Remove from heat and let cool.
    ½ cup butter
  • Combine cooled brown butter and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.
    8 ounces cream cheese
  • Add vanilla extract and continue beating until incorporated.
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Add powdered sugar one cup at a time until desired consistency is reached. Spread frosting on cooled pumpkin bars.
    5 to 6 cups powdered sugar
  • Sprinkle bars with additional pumpkin pie spice, cut into squares, and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 3655IU | Vitamin C: 1.1mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1.2mg