Name: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting – Sweet Easy Recipes Everyone Will Love
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 4 large eggs; 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar; 1 cup canola oil; 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp baking soda; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe

Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are like autumn in bar form. I make these every October when the air starts to smell like bonfires, and they disappear faster than you can say ‘save me a corner piece.’ Moist, tender, spiced just right—these bars hit the sweet spot between cake and brownie. They’re topped with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting that’s more indulgent than it probably should be. I always pretend I’ll only eat one, then I ‘taste test’ three more for quality control. The batter stirs up in one bowl—no need for fancy equipment or elbow grease. Perfect for potlucks, after-school snacks, or just because you’re craving something cozy, these bars blend fall flavor with foolproof ease. Whether you’re making them after whipping up chicken stirfry or just baked a batch of air fryer cookies, these sweet easy recipes will slot right in.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
3) Ingredients for Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
4) How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
5) Tips for Making Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
6) Making Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
8) Try these Desserts next!
9) Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Pumpkin bars deliver rich fall flavor in an easy-to-bake square.
Cream cheese frosting adds the perfect creamy contrast.
Make-ahead friendly and great for casual gatherings.
One-bowl batter means less cleanup and more eating.

2) Easy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Fall hits, and I crave something sweet but not too heavy. These pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting check all the boxes for sweet easy recipes, and the best part is how quick they come together. We’re talking one bowl, no mixer needed, and zero stress.

I like them best cold from the fridge. That thick layer of frosting firms up just right, and each bite has that cinnamon warmth I love when the leaves start turning. If you’ve ever made butter swim biscuits easy recipes before, you’ll appreciate how low-lift this dessert is.

They’re great when you’ve just finished something savory like easy recipes with ground beef or even a chicken stirfry easy recipe. These bars are sweet but balanced, simple but special. Just a solid, no-fuss treat that tastes like it came from your favorite bakery.

3) Ingredients for Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Eggs: You’ll need four of them. They help the bars stay tender and hold their shape when sliced.

Sugar: I go with granulated here. It gives the right level of sweetness without overpowering the pumpkin spice.

Oil: A neutral one like canola or vegetable oil keeps these bars moist and helps the spices shine through.

Pumpkin purée: Use pure pumpkin, not pie filling. It gives a rich flavor and soft texture that’s perfect for bars.

Flour: All-purpose works just fine here. It holds everything together without making the bars dense.

Baking powder and baking soda: These give the bars just the right lift so they don’t come out flat.

Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth and brings out the best in the pumpkin flavor.

Salt: Just a teaspoon brings balance to the sweetness and spices.

Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese is key for a smooth, spreadable frosting.

Butter: Let it come to room temp so it blends easily with the cream cheese.

Powdered sugar: This adds sweetness and structure to the frosting without any graininess.

Vanilla extract: A splash rounds out the flavor and brings everything together.

4) How to Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350 F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch pan or line it with parchment if you hate cleanup.

Step 2. In one big bowl, whisk your eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin until smooth. No need for perfection—just mix until it looks even.

Step 3. Toss in your flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Stir it all up until combined. Stop as soon as the flour disappears.

Step 4. Pour the batter into your pan and give it a little shake to even out the top.

Step 5. Bake it for 25 to 30 minutes. When a toothpick comes out clean, pull it out and let it cool completely.

Step 6. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Keep beating until fluffy and light.

Step 7. Spread that frosting on the cooled bars like you’re frosting a birthday cake. Slice into squares and sneak one before anyone else sees.

5) Tips for Making Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Let the bars cool completely before you frost them. I know it’s hard to wait, but warm bars will melt that gorgeous frosting into a puddle.

Use the back of a spoon or offset spatula for spreading. It gives you better control so the frosting stays where you want it.

Don’t skimp on the cinnamon. It’s what turns this from a plain bar into something that feels like a fall afternoon on a plate.

6) Making Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Ahead of Time

You can bake these bars a day ahead. Just cool them, cover them tightly, and stash in the fridge. Frost the next day and they’ll taste just as fresh.

If you want to make both the bars and frosting ahead, keep them separate until serving. The frosting holds up in the fridge for a couple of days.

This dessert’s a good call when you’re juggling a full dinner spread—like cheesey potatoes easy recipe and sweet easy recipes all in one meal. It’s dependable and holds up well under pressure.

7) Storing Leftover Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. The bars stay soft and the frosting holds its shape for up to five days.

If you’re stacking them, use wax paper between the layers so they don’t stick. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

You can freeze them too. Just wrap tightly, freeze, and thaw in the fridge overnight. They’re still a hit after a quick chill.

8) Try these Desserts next!

9) Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting