Ultimate Moist Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
These crowd-pleasing pumpkin bars are incredibly moist, perfectly spiced, and topped with a rich maple-vanilla cream cheese frosting. An easy fall favorite that's better than pie!
- Jelly Roll Pan (10×15 inch)
- Large Mixing Bowls
- Angled Offset Spatula
- Wire Whisk
- Fine Mesh Sifter
For the Pumpkin Bars
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 â…” Cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (100%)
- 2 cups flour (all purpose)
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tbsp salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese ((softened))
- ½ cup unsalted butter ((softened))
- 2 cups powdered sugar ((sifted))
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 splash maple syrup
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Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a jelly roll pan or 10×15 inch baking pan.
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Mix Wet: In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil (or applesauce mix), and pumpkin until smooth and glossy.
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Mix Dry: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
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Combine: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix.
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Bake: Pour batter into the pan and spread to the corners. Bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Cool: Let bars cool completely to the touch before frosting to prevent melting.
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Frost: Beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and maple syrup until smooth. Spread over cooled bars and slice.
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The Applesauce Trick: Swap half the oil for applesauce for a moister, lighter texture.
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Measuring Flour: Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level off with a knife to avoid packing it down.
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Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. These taste even better on day two!
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Presentation: For a fancy look, use a round cookie cutter to create stacks or “whoopee pie” style circles.
Shop This Recipe
1. Jelly Roll Pan (Check Price on Amazon)
2. Mixing Bowls (Check Price on Amazon)
3. Offset Spatula (Check Price on Amazon)
4. Wire Whisk (Check Price on Amazon)
5. Flour Sifter (Check Price on Amazon)
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