Pumpkin Bars
These decadent pumpkin bars are so soft and tender and are perfectly complimented by a fluffy smooth cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
For the pumpkin bar:
- 4 eggs
- 1 ⅔ cups sugar
- ⅞ cup vegetable oil
- 15 ounce can pumpkin
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
For the Frosting:
- 8 ounce cream cheese softened
- ½ cup butter softened/slightly cold (see note)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Pumpkin Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350*F. Grease a 9x13 baking pan.
- Using a large mixing bowl and hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, oil, pumpkin and vanilla on medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix an additional 30 seconds. See photos above for texture.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl combine the flour, baking, powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda with a whisk.
- Pour dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until well combined. The batter should be smooth. Check photos above for texture and consistency.
- Spread in the 9x13 pan and bake for 28-30 minutes, until the top is matte. Insert a toothpick into the middle to test for doneness. It should come out clean.
For the frosting:
- Beat the butter on high for 2 minutes. Add the cream cheese and beat until well combined. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar and beat until light and smooth.
- Spread frosting on cooled pumpkin bars.
- Enjoy and let us know how you liked them!
Notes
Using slightly cold butter versus softened butter, will greatly improve the texture of your frosting. It will hold its form better and not slide all around. We recommend getting the butter out about a half hour before using it. It should still feel cold, but you should be able to make an imprint when you push on it with your finger.
Cream cheese frosting needs to be stored in the refrigerator. Either store leftover pumpkin bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator or store the unfrosted bars at room temperature and the frosting in the refrigerator.
These are great frozen! We love them! Freeze in an airitight container for up to 2 months. Thaw to only partially frozen. If thawed to room temperature they will weep and make a mess.
The pumpkin spice variation is our favorite. Reduce the cinnamon to one teaspoon and add 1 Tablespoon pumpkin spice. It adds a fun kick of flavor that is absolutely delicious.
Nutrition
Serving: 1barCalories: 389kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 6gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 430mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 1gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 4382IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 1mg
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