Pumpkin Bars
Moist pumpkin bars with warm fall spices, a boost of vanilla, and rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any autumn gathering!
Ingredients
Bars:
- 1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin
- 1⅔ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Topping
- 1 block 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- walnuts, crushed for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 10 x 15-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add pumpkin, sugar, oil, orange juice, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until well blended.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Gradually add the dry mixture to the pumpkin mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bars are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs, but not wet batter.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla extract for 1-2 minutes on medium speed.
- Add confectioners’ sugar, one cup at a time, until the frosting is light and creamy.
- Spread the frosting on top of the cooled bars and top with crushed walnuts.
- Cut and serve. Enjoy!