Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Pumpkin desserts have surged in popularity, with over 80% of Americans enjoying pumpkin-flavored treats during autumn. You'll want to master these cream cheese-frosted pumpkin bars that transform a simple cake mix into a seasonal sensation. Whether you're a baking novice or seasoned home chef, this recipe promises a foolproof path to creating a crowd-pleasing dessert that captures the warm, spicy essence of fall. Curious how a few pantry ingredients can become your new favorite seasonal indulgence?

Recipe Highlights

• Combine 1 can pumpkin puree, 1 box yellow cake mix, and 3 eggs to create a simple, moist pumpkin bar base that bakes in 25-30 minutes at 350°F.
• Create a creamy cream cheese frosting by beating 2 softened cream cheese packages with 1 cup powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.
• Bake pumpkin bars in a greased 9×13-inch pan, ensuring complete cooling before applying frosting to prevent melting and maintain frosting integrity.
• Customize the recipe by adjusting spices, adding nuts, or experimenting with different frosting techniques to personalize the classic autumn dessert.
• Store pumpkin bars in the refrigerator, covered, for several days, making them an excellent make-ahead dessert for holiday gatherings and potlucks.

History

While pumpkin desserts have deep roots in North American culinary traditions, the specific creation of pumpkin bars is a more recent development in American baking. Native Americans originally cultivated pumpkins, teaching European settlers how to transform these versatile gourds into delectable treats.

By the mid-20th century, home bakers began experimenting with convenient cake mix techniques, which revolutionized dessert preparation:

• 1950s: Boxed cake mixes became widely available
• 1960s: Creative bakers started combining cake mixes with seasonal ingredients
• 1970s: Pumpkin bars emerged as a popular potluck and holiday dessert

You'll find that modern pumpkin bars represent a delightful fusion of traditional harvest ingredients and mid-century convenience baking.

The cream cheese frosting, now a quintessential topping, became popular in the late 1970s, transforming these simple bars into a beloved autumn staple.

Recipe

Pumpkin bars represent the quintessential autumn dessert, combining the rich, earthy flavor of pumpkin with a delightful cake-like texture. These bars offer a perfect blend of warm spices and sweet cream cheese frosting that makes them irresistible at any gathering or family celebration.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, using just a few basic ingredients to create a dessert that feels both comforting and sophisticated. With minimal preparation and baking time, home bakers can easily transform these humble ingredients into a show-stopping treat that captures the essence of fall.

Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing it thoroughly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, yellow cake mix, and eggs, stirring until the mixture is well blended and smooth.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly to ensure consistent baking. Bake the pumpkin bars for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. The bars are ready when the toothpick comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely. While cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.

Once the bars have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly across the top. For the best presentation and flavor, refrigerate the bars before cutting into squares.

Clean the knife between cuts to ensure neat, precise edges. These pumpkin bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making them an excellent make-ahead dessert for busy home bakers.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by gathering all your ingredients—pumpkin puree, yellow cake mix, eggs, cream cheese, and powdered sugar—to ensure a smooth baking process.

Next, mix the pumpkin, cake mix, and eggs thoroughly in a large bowl, creating a consistent batter that'll transform into a moist, delectable dessert.

Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch pan, spreading it evenly before sliding it into a preheated 350°F oven, where it'll bake to golden perfection.

Step 1. Gather Necessary Baking Ingredients

Before diving into the baking process, gather all the necessary ingredients to ensure a smooth and efficient preparation of these delectable pumpkin bars.

You'll want to collect:

• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Check your pantry and refrigerator for these items, ensuring they're fresh and at the right temperature.

Cream cheese should be softened to room temperature for easy mixing, while eggs work best when they're not straight from the cold refrigerator.

Measure each ingredient precisely, using standard measuring cups and spoons.

Remember that accuracy matters in baking, so take your time and double-check quantities.

Having everything measured and ready before you start will make the entire baking process more enjoyable and straightforward.

Step 2. Mix Cake Ingredients

As the foundation of your pumpkin bars takes shape, grab a large mixing bowl and combine the key ingredients with precision and care. You'll want to:

• Pour the entire 15 oz can of pumpkin puree into the bowl
• Add the yellow cake mix
• Crack and incorporate 3 large eggs

Whisk the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring no dry cake mix lumps remain. Your goal is a smooth, uniform batter that blends the pumpkin's rich earthiness with the cake mix's light texture.

Mix until the ingredients are completely integrated, using steady, deliberate strokes. The mixture should look consistent—a warm, orange-brown color with a slightly thick, cake-like consistency. As you blend, notice how the ingredients transform, creating a promise of the delectable dessert to come.

Step 3. Pour Batter Into Pan

With your perfectly blended batter now ready, grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and prepare it for the next critical step. Generously grease the entire pan's interior with butter or cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.

Use a paper towel or pastry brush to spread the lubricant evenly across the bottom and sides, paying extra attention to corner areas.

Next, carefully pour the pumpkin cake batter into the prepared pan:

• Use a rubber spatula to transfer all batter
• Spread mixture uniformly with gentle, sweeping motions
• Tap the pan lightly on the counter to eliminate air bubbles
• Ensure an even, smooth surface before baking

Check that the batter reaches all pan edges and maintains a consistent thickness.

This attention to detail guarantees uniform cooking and a perfectly textured dessert.

Step 4. Bake in Preheated Oven

Carefully slide your perfectly prepared pumpkin bar batter into the preheated 350°F oven, positioning the pan on the center rack for even heat distribution.

This strategic placement ensures uniform baking, preventing hot spots that could lead to uneven cooking or burnt edges.

Monitor the bars closely during the 25-30 minute baking window.

You'll know they're done when:

• A toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
• The edges start to pull slightly away from the pan's sides
• The top develops a light golden-brown color

Resist the temptation to open the oven repeatedly, as sudden temperature changes can disrupt the delicate rising process.

Keep the oven door closed, allowing the consistent heat to work its magic and transform your pumpkin mixture into a tender, delectable dessert.

Step 5. Frost With Cream Cheese

Once the pumpkin bars have cooled completely, you'll want to transform them with a luscious cream cheese frosting that elevates the dessert from good to unforgettable. Beat the softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl until smooth, gradually incorporating powdered sugar. Aim for a creamy, spreadable consistency that'll glide effortlessly across the bars' surface:

• Use room temperature cream cheese for optimal smoothness
• Mix at medium speed to prevent over-beating
• Add powdered sugar incrementally, tasting for desired sweetness

Ensure the bars are entirely cool before frosting to prevent melting or sliding.

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly using an offset spatula, creating a uniform layer about 1/4-inch thick. Work methodically, starting from the center and moving outward in gentle, sweeping motions.

Once frosted, refrigerate briefly to help the topping set, then slice into neat squares.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking to elevate your fall baking game, these pumpkin bars represent a simple yet delicious dessert that'll impress your friends and family. They're an effortless way to bring seasonal warmth to your table, requiring minimal baking skills and basic pantry ingredients.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility: you can easily customize the spice profile or experiment with different frosting techniques. Remember to let the bars cool completely before frosting, which prevents melting and ensures a clean, professional presentation.

Serve chilled for the best texture, and don't be afraid to make these bars a day ahead for upcoming gatherings. With their rich pumpkin flavor and creamy cream cheese topping, they're sure to become a fall favorite in your household.