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Perfect Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

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These pumpkin bars are moist, tender, and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. They’re the perfect fall dessert for any gathering, from Thanksgiving to Halloween parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 8 oz (226g) block cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on long sides. Lightly grease parchment.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each. Stir in vanilla and pumpkin puree until combined.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined; do not overmix.
  5. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 22-26 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Cool in pan on a rack for 20 minutes, then lift out using parchment and cool completely (about 1-1.5 hours).
  7. For frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt; beat on low then medium until smooth and spreadable. Refrigerate 10-15 minutes if too soft.
  8. Spread frosting over cooled bars. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before slicing. Use a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts.

Notes

Don’t skip cooling the bars completely before frosting. Use room temperature ingredients for best results. For clean cuts, chill frosted bars for at least 30 minutes. Bars taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bars, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, pumpkin dessert, easy pumpkin bars

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