The Best Pumpkin Pie Bars Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
As the cool breeze of fall begins to settle in, thereโs nothing quite like the cozy, comforting flavors of pumpkin to welcome the season. These pumpkin pie bars with cream cheese frosting are the ultimate autumn treat, offering a delightful combination of pumpkin spice, creamy frosting, and a dessert thatโs as easy to make as brownies but with a festive twist. Whether youโre hosting a Halloween party, celebrating Thanksgiving, or simply craving a sweet, spiced dessert, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.
In this blog post, Iโll walk you through how to create these pumpkin pie bars from scratch, just like you would a batch of brownies, and top them off with a smooth and tangy cream cheese frosting. With my step-by-step video tutorial and easy-to-follow recipe, youโll have these bars ready in no time.
Before we dive in, donโt forget to subscribe to my blog for more festive fall recipes and follow me on social media so you donโt miss out on all the fun, creative seasonal content coming your way!
Why Youโll Love These Pumpkin Pie Bars
Pumpkin pie bars are the perfect blend of everything we love about fall: warm spices, rich pumpkin flavor, and a smooth, creamy topping that brings it all together. Unlike traditional pumpkin pie, these bars are much easier to make and serve, making them a great option for those who love convenience without sacrificing flavor.
Hereโs why these pumpkin pie bars will become your new favorite fall dessert:
โข Easier than pie: You donโt need to worry about rolling out dough or making a crust from scratchโjust whip up a quick batter, bake, and frost.
โข Portable and shareable: These bars are perfect for potlucks, parties, or school events. Theyโre easy to slice and transport, making them the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
โข Customizable: You can make these bars your own by adding toppings like chopped nuts, drizzled caramel, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top or the candy corn pumpkins like I did.
โข Perfect for any occasion: From Halloween gatherings to Thanksgiving dinners, pumpkin pie bars are a versatile dessert that can be dressed up or down for any fall event.
The Secret to Making Perfect Pumpkin Pie Bars
To ensure your pumpkin pie bars turn out perfectly every time, Iโm sharing some of my top tips for getting the best results:
1. Choose the right pumpkin: Using canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) is key to getting the right consistency and flavor. If you prefer fresh, roasted pumpkin, make sure to puree it until completely smooth.
2. Spices are everything: Donโt skimp on the spicesโpumpkin itself has a mild flavor, so the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves will really bring the taste of fall to life. You can even experiment with a pinch of cardamom or allspice for a unique twist.
3. Donโt overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to dense, heavy bars instead of the light, cake-like texture weโre going for.
4. Use room temperature ingredients: For a smooth, lump-free frosting, make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before you start mixing.
5. Cool completely before frosting: Patience is keyโif the bars are still warm, the frosting will melt and slide off. Let the bars cool completely to get a neat, even layer of frosting.
Creative Toppings and Variations
Want to take your pumpkin pie bars to the next level? Try some of these fun toppings and variations to switch things up:
โข Drizzle with caramel: A drizzle of caramel sauce over the cream cheese frosting adds a rich, sweet touch that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin spice flavor.
โข Add chopped nuts: Walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch and extra flavor to the bars. Sprinkle them on top of the frosting or mix them into the batter before baking.
โข Dust with cinnamon sugar: For an extra pop of fall flavor, sprinkle a cinnamon-sugar mixture over the frosted bars.
โข Top with whipped cream: Instead of frosting, you can top these bars with a dollop of whipped cream for a lighter, fluffier option.
Perfect Occasions for Pumpkin Pie Bars
These bars are perfect for a wide range of fall events and gatherings:
โข Halloween Parties: Add a spooky twist by decorating the frosting with candy corn or orange and black sprinkles. Your guests will love this festive and delicious treat.
โข Thanksgiving Dessert: While pumpkin pie is a classic, these bars are an easy alternative that can be made ahead of time and served alongside other desserts.
โข Fall Movie Nights: Cozy up with a slice of these bars during your favorite fall movie marathon. They pair perfectly with a warm cup of apple cider or hot cocoa.
โข Potluck or School Events: These bars are portable and easy to serve, making them ideal for sharing at potlucks, bake sales, or classroom parties.
Why Cream Cheese Frosting Completes the Recipe
The cream cheese frosting is what takes these pumpkin pie bars to the next level. The rich, tangy flavor of the frosting contrasts beautifully with the sweet, spiced bars, creating a balanced dessert that everyone will love. Here are some reasons why this frosting is the perfect match:
1. Tangy sweetness: The cream cheese adds a subtle tanginess that cuts through the sweetness of the pumpkin bars, creating a well-balanced flavor.
2. Smooth texture: Cream cheese frosting has a smooth, luscious texture that complements the moist, cake-like texture of the bars.
3. Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less powdered sugar, or even infuse the frosting with a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg for an extra fall touch.
The Best Pumpkin Pie Bars Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
Description
Perfect Fall sweet treat!
Ingredients
Pumpkin Pie Bars
Cream Cheese Frosting
Instructions
Pumpkin Pie Bars
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Prep: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Line it with parchment paper if you prefer easy removal and spray with cooking oil.
- PUMPKIN PIE MAIN INGREDIENTS: Mix together white sugar and butter with an electric mixer. Once mixed- add in eggs and continue to mix well.
- In a separate bowl- mix together: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin spice and cinnamon. Once mixed well- Add the dry ingredients to the mixer and mix well.
- Add in pumpkin puree into mixture and well well.
- Pour the mixture on parchment paper and spread evenly.
- Bake for 18-25 minutes. You can use a tooth pick on the thickest part to make sure it comes out clean and no dough.
- White the Pumpkin Bars are baking make the cream cheese frosting.
- Blend together cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract with electric mixture until well blended. (make sure cream cheese is don’t fresh out of the fridge- you need it softened to properly mix)
- Add in the powdered sugar and
- Spread the cream cheese topping over the cooled Bars. (you want to make sure the bars are cooled our the cream cheese will melt into the bar)
- Slice and serve: Slice the bars into squares and enjoy! Store any leftovers in the refrigerator, as the cream cheese frosting should be kept cool.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Video
These pumpkin pie bars with cream cheese frosting are the ultimate fall dessertโeasy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for any autumn occasion. I hope this recipe brings a little extra warmth and joy to your fall season, whether youโre baking for family, friends, or just a cozy night in.
If you try this recipe, donโt forget to tag me on social media (@AshtonSedita) so I can see your delicious creations! Be sure to follow me for more festive fall recipes and DIY projects, and subscribe to my blog so you never miss out on all the fun, festive content I have planned.
Looking for more fall inspiration? Check out myย Broccoli Cheese Soupย recipe for a savory companion to these sweet treats, or my Fall Ultimate Bucket List of things to do this fall season.
XOXO Ashton
