Pumpkin Bars are everything a fall treat should be! Moist pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting makes the best pumpkin dessert you will ever eat!
These Pumpkin Bars are my mom’s traditional treat for Halloween.
Every year fall/Halloween my mom makes her pumpkin bars! Mom’s Pumpkin Bars. I can never eat just one….I go back for seconds, and thirds and then hope there is enough left over to take some home!
I have no clue where my mom got the recipe from, I just know it is delicious! I have tweaked a few things; adding some vanilla, because I just think any cake or dessert needs it.
Also, I have found that you can add nutmeg and ground ginger and it adds a bit of a spice that is perfect with the pumpkin.
The Basics
You will need some canned pumpkin.
Make sure (this is very important) that you get CANNED PUMPKIN! The actual canned Pumpkin- NOT Canned Pumpkin Pie Mix! Yes, there is a difference! Read the label!
The other ingredients I bet you have on hand! Eggs, sugar, oil, flour, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg (trust me on the nutmeg and ginger).
Making Mom’s Pumpkin Bars
One bowl is all you need! No mixer needed!
In a large bowl, you will add your eggs, oil, pumpkin and sugar and whisk it together. I like a whisk better than a spoon. You want it mixed smooth and whisk does the job best!
Next, you will add in all of your spices, vanilla, baking soda and baking powder. Give it a good whisk. Last, add your flour and whisk it again, making sure it is all mixed together good!
Baking Pumpkin Bars
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a half sheet bakingpan/sheet pan (see below for links to the ones I love).
Then, pour your pumpkin batter into the baking sheet and smooth it out so it is even. You can even give the pan a light tap on your counter to help even and smooth it out.
Into the oven it goes, for about 25-30 minutes. Check it at 25 minutes.
You will know it is done when the top becomes a light brown, the edges start to pull away from the pan, and a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the center.
Let it cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
My mom’s recipe uses has a bit different cream cheese frosting recipe. I use my Cream Cheese Frosting recipe and it is delicious and simple! It is just butter, cream cheese and vanilla! Simple, smooth, sweet and creamy! The perfect frosting for the perfect Pumpkin Bars!
Once your pumpkins bars are cooled, frost your cake, then hurry and be the first to have a bite!
The Best Pumpkin Bars are everything a fall treat should be! Moist pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting makes the best pumpkin dessert you will ever eat! I know you will love them!
If you liked this recipe please take the time to leave a comment and a star rating below! Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
For another delicious treat, try my Apple Crisp, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pumpkin Lush Dessert, Sheet Pan Carrot Cake or my Banana Bars or my yummy Carrot Cake!
Check out the latest posts from the Butcher’s Wife!
- Greek Chicken
- Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
- White Chicken Enchiladas
- Yummy Carrot Cake
- Creamy Baked Chicken
- Easy Peppermint Dip
Mom’s Pumpkin Bars
Equipment
- half sheet pan
Ingredients
Pumpkin Bars
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 1 can (15 oz.) Pumpkin *not canned Pumpkin Pie Mix
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 (8 oz.) block Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature *make sure it isn't low fat or light
- 3 cups powdered sugar *or more if you want it thicker
- 1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature (not melted) *1 stick
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a half sheet baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your eggs, oil, sugar and pumpkin. Whisk/stir until combined and smooth.
- Add in cinnamon, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg. Mix well.
- Add in flour. Mix well until it is all combined.
- Pour your pumpkin bar batter in to your half sheet pan. Smooth it out so it is even. (Tap the pan on the counter to help spread it out!)
- Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. Check at the 25 minute mark. You will know it is done when the top starts to turn a golden brown, the edges start to pull away from the pan, and a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the center.
- Let it cool completely before frosting!
- Make your frosting while the pumpkin bars bake!
Making the Frosting
- Make sure your butter and cream cheese is softened to room temperature so it mixes well.
- Add all frosting ingredients together and mix in a mixer until smooth. You can add more powdered sugar to your liking to get it as thick as you like.
- Frost your pumpkin bars once the are fully cooled! Enjoy!
Notes
- Click HERE for my Cream Cheese Frosting recipe!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
These bars are fantastic. I was craving pumpkin pie but did not have any evaporated milk. The bars have that magic pumpkin pie taste! The cream cheese frosting is as wonderful as anything is when made with cream cheese. Whipped cream would be just as good. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Toni!!! I am so happy to hear you loved these pumpkin bars and the cream cheese frosting! Thank you for trying them and taking the time to comment! My pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are super yummy too (and they are tasty frosted with cream cheese frosting)! Thank you again for trying the recipe!!!❤️
Can’t wait to make these! How do you store them after frosted?
Hi Tracy!! They are so yummy I hope you love them as much as we do! I just keep mine covered on my counter (we have never gotten sick) but if you’re worried you can store them covered in your fridge! Happy baking!❤️😘
I love your recipes so I’m sure it will be amazing! Any tricks on covering them without it sticking to the frosting on the bar pan?
I am so happy to hear you like my recipes! Thank you! That means the world to me!!! So I put toothpicks in the corners and a few in the center so it holds the foil up then do a quick touch up on the frosting if needed where the toothpicks were poked in… it works perfect to hold it up!!! Good luck… let me know how they turn out! 😘😘
Sorry I keep bothering you…I’m making them right now! Have you made them in a Pyrex 9×13 dish before? 😍
You are not bothering me at all!! I have never tried them in a 9×13 pan but I can’t see why they wouldn’t work… they will just need to probably cook longer!!! 😊
Hi! I meant to write you that they turned out amazing! I made them in a bar pan just like you did. You have the best recipes!! Thanks!
Hi Tracy! I am so happy they turned out amazing!!! Thank you for visiting the blog and taking the time to comment and thank you sooo much for trying my recipes …. I am so glad you have liked them! ❤️😘
Pingback: The Butcher's Wife | Easy recipes everyone will love!