Pumpkin Bars

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!

A fork in a piece of Pumpkin bars on a plate
 A piece of Pumpkin Bars with cream cheese frosting

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.

Pumpkin Bars in a sheet pan with a piece taken out of the pan

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!

Can of pumpkin

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!

Batter for pumpkin bars

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.

Pumpkin bar batter spread in half baking sheet to bake

Into the oven it goes, for about 20-25 minutes. Check it at 20 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!

Cream cheese frosting being mixed in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment
Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting in a half sheet pan sitting on a table

Once your pumpkins bars are cooled, frost your cake, then hurry and be the first to have a bite!

A fork in a piece of Pumpkin bars on a plate

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, Apple Spice Sheet Cake, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, or my Banana Bars or my yummy Carrot Cake!



Check out the latest posts from the Butcher’s Wife!



Mom's Pumpkin Bars

Mom’s Pumpkin Bars

Mom's 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!
4.25 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 20 Slices/pieces (less or more depending on size)

Equipment

  • half sheet pan

Ingredients

Pumpkin Bars

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 can (15 oz.) Pumpkin (also called Pure 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 20-25 minutes. Check at the 20 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

  1. Click HERE for my Cream Cheese Frosting recipe!

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Serving: 1Slice/piece | Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 243mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 4161IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg

11 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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.

    • Beth, The Butcher's Wife

      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!!!❤️

  2. Can’t wait to make these! How do you store them after frosted?

    • Beth, The Butcher's Wife

      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?

        • Beth, The Butcher's Wife

          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? 😍

          • Beth, The Butcher's Wife

            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!!! 😊

      • 5 stars
        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!

        • Beth, The Butcher's Wife

          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! ❤️😘

  3. Pingback: The Butcher's Wife | Easy recipes everyone will love!

4.25 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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