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Moist and Spiced Pumpkin Bars Perfect for Thanksgiving

  • Author: Naomi

Description

These Moist and Spiced Pumpkin Bars deliver soft, bakery-style texture with a warm, fall-inspired flavor. Rich with cinnamon and pumpkin spice, they’re topped with creamy vanilla-infused cream cheese frosting—a crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for Thanksgiving, potlucks, or cozy autumn evenings. Easy to prepare and even easier to serve, these bars are a dependable go-to for holiday baking.

Ingredients

Scale

For the pumpkin bars:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1⅔ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

For the cream cheese frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
    Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Make the pumpkin bar batter.
    In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin puree until smooth and well combined.
  3. Combine the dry ingredients.
    In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Mix wet and dry ingredients.
    Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until fully incorporated and smooth.
  5. Bake.
    Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
  6. Prepare the frosting.
    In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and beat until light and fluffy.
  7. Frost the bars.
    Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars.
  8. Cut and serve.
    Slice into squares or rectangles and serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Be sure to let the bars cool fully before frosting to avoid melting.

  • Don’t overmix the batter to maintain a soft texture.

  • For added spice, stir in a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg.

  • Cut with a warm knife for clean edges.

  • For nut-free variations, skip any nut toppings or mix-ins.

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Find it online: https://teatimewithnaomi.com/moist-and-spiced-pumpkin-bars-perfect-for-thanksgiving/