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Decadent Spiced Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 0h 20m
  • Cook Time: 0h 30m
  • Total Time: 0h 50m
  • Yield: 12-16 bars
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Decadent Spiced Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a perfect fall treat featuring warm spices and rich, moist pumpkin flavor topped with a smooth, creamy frosting. Ideal for dessert or a festive snack, these bars combine aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves with a luscious cream cheese topping for a truly indulgent experience.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pumpkin Bars

  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together canned pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt until well combined and evenly distributed.
  4. Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bars tender and moist.
  5. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool Bars: Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. Then use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan and transfer to the rack to cool completely.
  7. Prepare Frosting: While the bars cool, beat together softened cream cheese and unsalted butter in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
  8. Add Sugar and Flavor: Gradually add powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, mixing until fully combined. Stir in vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time until the desired spreading consistency is reached.
  9. Frost the Bars: Once the pumpkin bars are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
  10. Serve and Store: Cut the bars into squares and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • For best results, allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
  • You can adjust the spices to your taste, adding more cinnamon or nutmeg for a stronger warm spice flavor.
  • If you prefer a lighter frosting, reduce the powdered sugar or use half the amount.
  • Use fresh canned pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling which is sweetened and spiced.
  • Store refrigerated leftovers for up to 4-5 days.

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Find it online: https://deliciousfamilykitchen.com/decadent-spiced-pumpkin-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/