Pumpkin Spice Bars Recipe

This Pumpkin Spice Bars Recipe is a long-time family favorite!! I know pumpkin is supposed to be a fall treat, but these Pumpkin Spice bars are a treat we love year-round in my house. My mom started making these when I was in college for Thanksgiving, and they have become my daughter Kylie’s favorite dessert.   

This dessert always disappears the fastest at any get-together. My mom thinks it is weird, but the girls love to put candied pumpkins on theirs. The homemade frosting adds flavor and makes it seem like a cake. And let’s say it makes a great breakfast the next day!

Easy Pumpkin Spice Bar Recipe Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Ground Cinnamon
• Salt
• Eggs
• Canned Pumpkin Puree– Not pumpkin pie filling
• White Granulated Sugar
• Vegetable Oil
• Optional: Chopped Pecans

Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Ingredients:

• Cream Cheese– This needs to be softened, I pull mine out of the fridge before making the bar part so it can soften up.  
• Butter-This needs to be softened, I pull mine out of the fridge before making the bar part so it can soften up.  
• Vanilla Extract
• Powdered Sugar
• Pecan Halves-These are optional for decoration on top of the pumpkin bars
• Candied Pumpkins–These are optional for decoration on top of the pumpkin bars

How To Make Pumpkin Spice Bars Recipe:

In a medium bowl, stir together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt, then set aside.

My mom sent directions for mixing things separately, but I just put all the bar recipe ingredients into my Kitchen-Aid mixer starting with the wet ingredients, and let it mix.  

Next, in a large mixing bowl, beat together eggs, canned pumpkin, sugar, and oil with an electric mixer at medium speed.

Add the flour mixture; allow the mixer to run until well combined with the pumpkin mixture.

*If you add in pecans, this is where you add them into the batter.

Spread the batter into an ungreased 15x10x1 inch baking pan. You can use another baking dish, but it must be long and shallow to accommodate the batter or two smaller ones.

Bake in a 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely in the pan.

How To Make Cream Cheese Frosting:

Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl until fluffy. This is best done using a hand-held electric mixer.

Gradually add in powdered sugar, beating until smooth. I do this half a cup at a time so avoid the confectioners’ sugar from going every where

When the pumpkin bars are cooled, top them with the cream cheese frosting

Optional: Sprinkle with chopped pecans or top with candied pumpkins and candy corn. We allow the kids to top their own, they often make fun designs.

Alternative Seasonings For Pumpkin Spice Bars

• Ground Cloves 
• Ground Ginger
• Pumpkin Pie Spice 
• Nutmeg 
• Chocolate Chips

How To Store Pumpkin Bar

These pumpkin spice bars with cream cheese frosting must be stored in the fridge. Cover the pan with a lid and store for 3-5 days. If not stored in the pan, store leftovers in an airtight container.

Pumpkin recipes to make

We love to cook with pumpkins and even make pumpkin dog treats!! Check out all my pumpkin recipes!!

•  Homemade Pumpkin Bread
• 2 Ingredients Pumpkin Spice Muffins
• 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Brownie
• Pumpkin Latte