Name: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 15-oz can pumpkin puree; 3 large eggs; 1 cup neutral oil; 1 cup granulated sugar; ½ cup light brown sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp baking powder; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature; 4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature; ½ tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups sifted powdered sugar

There’s something incredibly cozy about biting into soft, spiced pumpkin treats that melt in your mouth — and that’s exactly why this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen. These bars have that perfect balance of moist pumpkin goodness with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting that’s just irresistible.

The image shows six square pieces of pumpkin cake with a thick layer of creamy white frosting on top. Each cake piece has two layers: the bottom layer is a moist, orange-brown pumpkin cake with a slightly crumbly texture, and the top layer is a smooth, pale cream-colored frosting evenly spread with soft swirls. The cake pieces are arranged on a round white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The overall look is neat and inviting with a soft contrast between the warm cake and the cool frosting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe isn’t just another pumpkin dessert — it’s a reliable crowd-pleaser that’s as approachable as it is delicious. I’ve made it countless times, and it never disappoints. Whether it’s for fall gatherings or a weekday pick-me-up, these bars bring warmth and joy with every bite.

Perfect Moisture: The pumpkin puree keeps the bars incredibly tender and moist without feeling heavy or dense.
Balanced Sweetness: A mix of granulated and brown sugars gives the bars depth without being overly sweet.
Simple Ingredients: You likely already have all these staples in your pantry and fridge.
Cream Cheese Frosting: The creamy, tangy frosting adds just the right contrast and makes these bars feel extra special.

The image shows four rectangular pieces of an orange-colored cake on a white plate placed on a white marbled texture. Each piece has two layers: a thick, moist, and textured orange cake base on the bottom and a smooth, creamy white frosting layer on top. One piece is tilted up, showing the side view of the two layers clearly, while the other three pieces lay flat on the plate, displaying the smooth frosting tops. The frosting has a soft, slightly swirled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe comes together to create that classic fall flavor and unbeatable texture. I always recommend using canned pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie filling to control sweetness and spice. Let’s break down why these ingredients shine:

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth orange pumpkin puree, three whole clean brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of light golden neutral oil, two small white ceramic bowls holding white granulated sugar and light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of pale all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing fine kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl with baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl with warm brown ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy white cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow unsalted butter, and a small white ceramic bowl piled with sifted white powdered sugar, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pumpkin puree: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and that distinctive autumnal flavor without weighing down the bars.
Eggs: Provide structure and help bind everything together smoothly.
Neutral oil: Keeps the bars super moist without any competing flavors, unlike some oils or butter.
Granulated sugar: Gives sweetness and a slightly crisp edge to the bars’ surface.
Light brown sugar: Adds a subtle molasses richness that deepens the flavor.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and rounds out the spices for a balanced taste.
All-purpose flour: Acts as the base structure; just be gentle to avoid toughness.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the other flavors and keeps sweetness in check.
Baking soda and baking powder: Help the bars rise just right, making them airy but still soft.
Ground cinnamon: A warm spice essential for that classic pumpkin flavor.
Cream cheese: In the frosting, it adds tang and creamy texture that complements the spiced bars perfectly.
Unsalted butter: Creates a rich, smooth frosting when whipped with cream cheese.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting without making it gritty.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons I come back to this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe so often is how easy it is to tweak to suit my mood or the season. I encourage you to experiment a bit and make it your own — that’s part of the fun!

Variation: Sometimes I sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the frosting before it sets — it adds a delightful crunch and pairs beautifully with the soft pumpkin bars.
Dietary Adaptation: For a gluten-free twist, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend — the texture remains just as satisfying.
Spice it up: If you like a bit more heat, a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg enhances the warming spice profile.
Less Sweet Option: Reduce the powdered sugar slightly in the frosting to balance sweetness if you prefer a tangier topping.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your 10 x 14-inch jelly roll pan — a generous coating of butter or nonstick spray works fine. Then, whisk the eggs in a large bowl until lightly frothy. Add in the pumpkin puree, neutral oil, both sugars, and vanilla extract, whisking until everything’s smooth and combined. This wet base is the heart of your bars, so get it nice and blended here.

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients Carefully

Next, in a separate bowl (or measured directly), mix the flour, kosher salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Gently whisk the dry mix into your wet ingredients, but don’t overdo it — just stir until you don’t see any flour streaks. Overmixing can make the bars tough, and we want them tender and moist!

Step 3: Bake and Cool Completely

Pour your batter evenly into the greased pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop it in your preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. Start checking at 20 minutes by gently inserting a skewer or toothpick into the center — it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs clinging. Once done, let the bars cool completely before frosting. I usually slide the whole pan onto a wire rack and wait patiently (it’s the hardest part!).

Step 4: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

Using room temperature cream cheese and butter is key here — they blend smoothly and create that light, fluffy frosting we love. Beat the butter and cream cheese together until pale and airy. Add vanilla, then sift in powdered sugar gradually to avoid lumps. Adjust the sugar amount so it’s thick enough to spread but not stiff. Slather it generously all over those cooled bars, then slice and share!

Top Tip

From my many attempts perfecting this Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, I've learned a few things that really make a difference to the final textures and flavors. Here are my best tips to help you nail it every time.

Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir gently once you add the dry ingredients—overmixing activates the gluten in flour and leads to denser bars instead of tender, soft ones.
Test Early and Often: Start test-baking around 20 minutes. Ovens vary, and checking prevents overbaking, which dries out the bars.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are soft before frosting—it saves time and prevents lumps in the frosting.
Use a Fine Sifter for Powdered Sugar: This avoids clumps in your frosting and gives it that silky smooth texture everyone loves.

How to Serve Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with these bars — a light dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the frosting is my go-to. Occasionally, I sprinkle crushed toasted pecans or even a few dried cranberries for a festive touch. These subtle tweaks add a little extra oomph without overpowering the classic flavors.

Side Dishes

These bars stand well as a dessert or snack on their own, but if I’m serving them for a cozy occasion, I pair them with a simple cup of spiced tea or warm apple cider. For brunch gatherings, they complement scrambled eggs and sausage beautifully — a great mix of sweet and savory!

Creative Ways to Present

For special fall or holiday parties, I like to cut these bars into bite-sized squares and arrange them on platters lined with autumn leaves or festive napkins. A drizzle of melted caramel over the top just before serving makes them feel party-ready. Layering them in clear glass containers shows off the frosting and pumpkin layers, making an inviting display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover pumpkin bars in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the frosting fresh and the bars moist. They usually last up to 4 days this way. Just be sure to let the bars cool fully before frosting and storing — that prevents moisture buildup inside.

Freezing

One of my favorite tricks is to freeze these bars without frosting. I bake the bars, cool them, and then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. When I’m ready to eat, I thaw them overnight in the fridge, whip up fresh cream cheese frosting, and spread it on — it tastes like fresh-baked every time!

Reheating

When reheating, I prefer to warm individual bars gently in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds — just enough to take the chill off without melting the frosting entirely. If you want a warm dessert vibe, removing the frosting and reheating the bars alone in a low oven before frosting freshly works wonderfully, too.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned puree?

Fresh pumpkin can be used, but it requires cooking and pureeing first. Canned pumpkin puree is more convenient and has a consistent moisture content, which ensures your bars bake properly.

How do I prevent my pumpkin bars from being dry?

Avoid overmixing the batter, especially after adding the flour, and be sure to bake until just done — overbaking will dry out the bars. Also, using oil instead of butter helps keep them moist.

Can I make these bars dairy-free?

To make a dairy-free version, replace the cream cheese and butter in the frosting with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and margarine or coconut oil. The bars themselves are dairy-free since the recipe uses oil instead of butter.

What’s the best way to cut these bars neatly?

For clean slices, refrigerate the bars after frosting so the frosting firms up. Use a sharp knife warmed with hot water and wiped dry before each cut to prevent sticking and achieve smooth edges.

Final Thoughts

These Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe have become my go-to whenever I want that perfect intersection of spicy, sweet, and creamy. They’re approachable, reliable, and always invite compliments from friends and family alike. I truly hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I have—because nothing beats baking something from the heart and seeing everyone’s happy faces after their first bite.