Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Nothing brings on the spirit of sweater weather and cozy gatherings quite like Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting. These irresistible bars combine a blissfully tender, spiced crumb with a velvety, tangy frosting—a duo that has earned cult status at autumn potlucks, bake sales, and family get-togethers everywhere. If you’re looking for a bake that’s easy but tastes impressively homemade, this classic treat checks every box for taste, nostalgia, and pure comfort.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simplicity is the secret to this recipe’s charm. Each ingredient does a little heavy lifting, whether that’s infusing warm spice, creating a pillowy texture, or adding signature creaminess to the frosting. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a quick tip for each one to ensure your Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting turn out perfect every time.

• All-purpose flour: This trusty staple builds the structure for your bars while keeping the crumb light and tender.
• Baking powder: Lends reliable lift, helping the bars rise and stay fluffy.
• Baking soda: Works with the pumpkin puree for a beautifully moist texture.
• Ground cinnamon: The essential autumn spice—don’t skimp for that deep, cozy flavor.
• Ground nutmeg: Adds subtle warmth and savory-sweet complexity.
• Ground ginger: Puts just the right amount of zing into every bite.
• Ground cloves: A dash for earthiness; it’s potent, so measure with care.
• Salt: Brightens the flavors and balances sweetness perfectly.
• Granulated sugar: For sweetening and supporting the bar’s soft crumb.
• Packed brown sugar: Rich in molasses, this brings depth and that edge of caramel flavor.
• Vegetable oil: The real reason your bars come out moist—skip the butter here!
• Large eggs: Essential for binding and delivering a spongey texture.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out all those spices with a mellow sweetness.
• Pumpkin puree: The star ingredient—be sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
• Cream cheese (softened): Makes the frosting tangy and luscious—let it come to room temp for best mixing.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Helps create that smooth, whippable frosting base.
• Powdered sugar: Gives the frosting structure and satiny sweetness without grittiness.
• Heavy cream (optional): Just a splash transforms your cream cheese frosting into a truly dreamy topping.

How to Make Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms, grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lining the pan not only prevents sticking but also makes those bars a breeze to lift out and cut evenly later on.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl. Give these a good blend—this ensures your lovely autumn spices are distributed evenly in every bite!

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and eggs until you get a smooth, creamy mixture. Stir in your vanilla extract and pumpkin puree. The pumpkin not only tints the batter a beautiful golden hue but keeps these bars extra moist.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this is the ticket to ultra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour your batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan, so they’re ready for that decadent frosting.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until super smooth and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then drizzle in vanilla extract. If you want the frosting even creamier, add heavy cream a tablespoon at a time until it’s spreadable and dreamy.

Step 7: Frost, Slice, and Enjoy

Spread the luscious frosting generously over the cooled bars. Use a big offset spatula for swooping perfection! Slice your Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting into squares or rectangles and get ready for major oohs and aahs.

How to Serve Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes

Dress your bars up with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, pretty orange zest curls, or a scatter of toasted pecans for extra crunch and elegance. Each adds a delightful visual and a burst of flavor that complements the tangy-sweet frosting.

Side Dishes

These bars shine on their own, but they’re also lovely paired with a mug of spiced chai, pumpkin spice latte, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The creamy, cool ice cream melting into the spiced bars is pure dessert magic!

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, cut your Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting into bite-sized squares and stack them on a tiered stand. You can even wrap individual pieces in wax paper for sweet take-home favors that’ll make you the hit of any autumn event.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese frosting stays fresh this way, and the bars keep their delightful moistness for up to 5 days—if they last that long!

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting. Arrange them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.

Reheating

If you like your bars a touch warm, let them come to room temperature or give them a quick (5–10 seconds) zap in the microwave. This brings back the fresh-from-the-oven feel and softens the frosting just a touch for extra indulgence.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pumpkin puree?

Absolutely! Homemade pumpkin puree brings wonderful freshness, just be sure it’s not too watery. If it is, drain in a cheesecloth-lined sieve for an hour before using in your Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.

What if I don’t have all the spices?

No problem! You can substitute with 2–3 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice instead. The flavor won’t be exactly the same, but you’ll still get lots of warm, seasonal notes.

Why did my bars turn out dense?

Dense bars often result from overmixing the batter or using old leavening agents. Make sure to mix just until combined and check that your baking powder and baking soda haven’t expired for the fluffiest results.

Can I frost the bars while they’re still warm?

For the neatest presentation, always wait until the bars are fully cooled. If the bars are warm, the cream cheese frosting will melt, making things messy and less visually appealing.

How can I make them gluten free?

You can swap in your favorite all-purpose gluten-free flour blend (with xanthan gum) and bake as directed. The flavor and texture of Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting will still be sensational!

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite as heartwarming and crowd-pleasing as a tray of Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting. With their balance of spice, moist crumb, and creamy topping, they’re a treat you’ll want to share every fall (and maybe beyond). Give them a try—you might just start your own delicious tradition!

Print