There are about a million pumpkin recipes floating around out there. But you have found THE ONE that you’ll make over and over again. These are hands down my favorite, the best Frosted Pumpkin Bars you’ll ever eat.
Pumpkin Bars
My mom used to make all kinds of pumpkin recipes. (Hi Mom!) I actually grew to not like pumpkin. As soon as September hit, it was pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. I think I maybe mentioned this before…. but times have changed and now I’m doing the exact same thing with my kids. Pumpkin everything. If they learn to not like pumpkin, I have no doubt that one day they will come back to the fold. Where was I going with this anyway……so….
Back in the beginning of time (the year 2007) I found this recipe from Mandee for Pumpkin Bars. It has been my favorite ever since. And man I feel like a blogging dinosaur. I’ve been at this for six years? Wow.
To Make These Pumpkin Bars, You’ll Need:
- jelly roll pan
- measuring cups
- stand mixer or hand mixer (I love my Kitchen Aid)
- flat icing spatula – this is my favorite set
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting:
The thing that makes that takes this recipe to the next level is the cream cheese frosting. Isn’t everything better with cream cheese frosting? I think so! You can add it to all kinds of cake recipes, cupcakes, and more. Here’s the basic way to make it:
- Soften 8 oz. of cream cheese. I have a “soften” setting on my microwave that makes this very easy. But you can let it set out on your counter to soften too.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese with 1/2 c. of butter, 2 TBSP. milk, 1 1/2 tsp. of vanilla and 4 cups of sugar.
- Mix until smooth.
- Some cream cheese frosting is thicker than others, if you want it to be thinner add more milk, gradually. If you want it to be stiffer, add powdered sugar.
Other Pumpkin Recipes:
If you love this easy Pumpkin Bars recipe, you’re going to love these other pumpkin recipes. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
- Pumpkin Cheesecake
The recipe! Yes, let’s get on with the recipe. I promise if you like pumpkin (and maybe even if you don’t) these pumpkin bars are for you. They are hands down the best. Moist (and I don’t even like that word) but fluffy with cream cheese frosting. HEAVEN.
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
If you love this Pumpkin Bars Recipe as much as I do, please write a five star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!
the Best Frosted Pumpkin Bars EVER!
Ingredients
Bars
- 1 c vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- 2 c sugar
- 2 c flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 30 oz pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 c butter (1 stick)
- 2 tbsp cream or milk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 4 c powdered sugar
Instructions
Bars
- Mix the oil, eggs and sugar together.
- Then add the remaining ingredients.
- Pour mixture into greased cookie sheet or jellyroll pan (I actually use a 9x13 pan for thicker bars).
- Bake @ 350 for 25-30 minutes for cookie sheet/jelly roll pan or 40-45 mins for 9x13 pan.
- Cool completely. Then frost.
Frosting
- Mix until smooth.
- Spread evenly over pumpkin bars.
Nutrition
I dare you to add the ingredients to your shopping list and make this. Today. You can thank me later.
These look so yummy! I’m SO ready for fall!
Gorgeous photos, colors, and recipe! And, ohhhh your words. Always so meaningful and honest. LOVE.
Sadly, I made these this weekend and they did not turn out. I even tried making them 2 separate times. Both times they were completely undercooked – almost raw in the middle. I followed directions exactly and even tried cooking them for longer. I think because the recipe uses 2 cans of pumpkin, they just come out way too “mushy” for my taste. They completely fell apart when cutting into them. Frosting came out good though!
Just made the cake but made as cupcakes. Delicious!!! Thank you! This will be a staple fall recipe for me and the fam :)
So delicious! The icing was amazing even though I forgot to add vanilla. The cake is melt in your mouth moist. Thanks for the recipe!
I couldn’t resist eating a pumpkin bar while they were still warm but I didn’t want to melt all the frosting. I cut one bar and frosted it, reserving the rest until the bars were cooled. Of course that made me want to eat another one. They were absolutely delicious!!
I’m hosting “Pumpkin Palooza” this week on my blog and used your recipe (with a link back to your post). These are awesome! The recipe was easy to make and my kids love them. I found you through your beautiful picture on Pinterest and I’m glad I tried the recipe. Thanks!
Can the vegetable oil be substituted and still get the same result?? We can’t do veg oil due to soy intolerance. I use coconut oil a ton. Do you think that would work and not mess with the flavor and consistency? Thanks!!
Made these today. Oh my goodness so yummy. Shared some with family members and kept some for us. Delicious
Pumpkin everything is the win for me :) Thanks for sharing! xo
Well, you were right. Best. Pumpkin. Bars. EVER!!! Oh my gosh!!
Surely gonna try these recipes with pumpkins scattering all over the town. Looks really yummy and healthy too. Permission to copy this recipe. :D Thanks
Soft pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting is a weakness of mine – this looks yummy!
These look like something I am going to have to try. Thanks for sharing!!
WOW!! These look divine. Just pinned!!
In all my years of cooking, I’m pretty sure I’ve never made pumpkin bars. Can you believe it!? I’m just about to change that :-)
These look so yummy! I love pumpkin!
I love everything pumpkin! These look amazing!
I checked the linked recipe and it calls for 1 c oil. I didn’t think they could be quite that healthy! :)
I want to try these ASAP!!!!
they look amazing! your photos are killer in this post!
xo
MMM I love pumpkin bars! This recipe looks amazing! Pinning!
Darm Mique… They look great!
These look so good Mique! I can’t wait to try them out!!
xoxo
I might take you up on that dare! Also, Im a sucker for any recipe that claims to be the best so yup – pinning this one for sure.