Indulge in the ultimate taste of autumn with these irresistibly moist, cakey pumpkin bars, generously topped with a decadent pumpkin spiced cream cheese frosting. A perfect fall dessert that will warm your heart and delight your palate.
Oh, the crisp, enchanting embrace of fall! There’s a profound joy that comes with the changing seasons, especially as autumn paints the world in hues of amber, crimson, and gold. The air grows cooler, inviting us to pull out our coziest sweatshirts and fuzzy socks, creating a sense of warmth and comfort that is uniquely autumnal. And what better way to celebrate this glorious season than with the quintessential flavor of fall: pumpkin spice?
Yes, in our home, we wholeheartedly embrace the “pumpkin spice craze.” We are unashamedly “those girls” who eagerly await the return of pumpkin-flavored everything.
While some might jest, we don’t mind. We gladly lean into the stereotype for a few months each year, comfortably sipping our Pumpkin Spice Lattes and savoring every delightful moment. But beyond the lattes, our true passion lies in bringing these beloved fall flavors into our kitchens, transforming simple ingredients into comforting masterpieces. These Pumpkin Spice Bars are a testament to that devotion, offering a homemade taste that far surpasses anything you’ll find at a coffee shop.
The journey to discovering this incredible recipe began, as many of the best stories do, with an old cookbook. While flipping through a cherished community cookbook from a church in Lincoln, Nebraska, I stumbled upon a recipe for pumpkin bars that immediately captured my attention. I just *knew* I had to try them. With October fast approaching, I was determined to feature something new and utterly pumpkin-centric on my blog. This discovery felt like fate.
As I gathered the ingredients, ready to whip up these potential autumn treasures, I hit a snag. My box of Bisquick from the pantry was almost empty. A quick trip to the store was out of the question, so I decided to improvise. Why buy more when I could make my own? And so, an unexpected culinary adventure began. The homemade Bisquick turned out absolutely superb, adding an extra layer of freshness and pride to these already fantastic pumpkin bars. It’s a simple trick that elevates your baking and proves how resourceful home cooks can be!
If you’re ever in a similar predicament or simply prefer the satisfaction of scratch baking, I highly recommend trying this recipe for homemade Bisquick: How To: Make Homemade Bisquick Baking Mix. It’s a game-changer!
These pumpkin spice bars are not just delicious; they’re also incredibly generous. The recipe yields a full jelly roll pan of moist, flavorful bars, more than enough to share with friends, family, or even a neighborhood gathering. That is, of course, *if* they last that long. Fair warning: these tend to disappear remarkably quickly!
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Bars
These aren’t just any pumpkin bars. They are the epitome of fall comfort baking. The bars themselves are wonderfully moist and possess a delicate, cake-like crumb, infused with the rich, earthy flavor of pumpkin and the warm, aromatic blend of pumpkin pie spice. Each bite is a journey through autumn’s best flavors, perfectly balanced and incredibly satisfying.
But what truly sets these bars apart is the luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s not just plain cream cheese frosting; it’s elevated with a hint of pumpkin spice, making it the ideal complement to the pumpkin base. The tanginess of the cream cheese cuts through the sweetness, while the added spice ties all the flavors together in a harmonious blend. The frosting is smooth, creamy, and spreads beautifully, creating a perfect crown for these delicious bars.
Tips for Baking Perfect Pumpkin Bars
Achieving bakery-quality pumpkin bars at home is simpler than you might think with a few key tips:
- Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling: Always ensure you are using pure pumpkin puree (sometimes labeled “100% pumpkin”) and not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling comes pre-spiced and sweetened, which will alter the flavor and texture of your bars.
- Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients (Bisquick and pumpkin pie spice) to the wet mixture, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tougher bar rather than a tender, cakey one.
- Room Temperature Ingredients for Frosting: For the smoothest, creamiest frosting, make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature. This allows them to blend together seamlessly without lumps.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: Patience is a virtue here! Frosting warm bars will cause the frosting to melt and slide off, creating a messy rather than a beautifully topped treat. Allow the bars to cool entirely before even thinking about frosting them. Chilling the bars slightly before frosting can also help.
- Adjusting Frosting Consistency: The recipe calls for Pumpkin Spice liquid Creamer or milk. If you prefer a thicker frosting, add less liquid; for a thinner, more spreadable consistency, add a bit more, a teaspoon at a time.
- Storage: Due to the cream cheese frosting, these bars must be stored in the refrigerator. They taste wonderful chilled, and the frosting sets beautifully.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These pumpkin spice bars are incredibly versatile. They make a fantastic dessert for holiday gatherings, a delightful treat for fall potlucks, or a comforting snack with your afternoon coffee or tea. Cut them into small squares for a party, or larger slices for a more substantial indulgence.
While perfect as is, you can also experiment with variations:
- Add-ins for the Bars: Consider folding in half a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch. Chocolate chips, especially white chocolate or dark chocolate, would also be a delicious addition to the batter.
- Spiced Up Frosting: If you want an extra kick of spice in your frosting, you can slightly increase the amount of pumpkin pie spice, or even add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Garnish: A sprinkle of cinnamon, a dusting of extra pumpkin pie spice, or a few candied pecans on top of the frosting can add an elegant touch and extra flavor.
There’s something truly magical about baking during autumn. The aroma of pumpkin and spices wafting through your home is an experience in itself, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. These Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting embody all the best parts of fall baking – they’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and bring immense joy to everyone who tastes them.
So, whether you’re a lifelong pumpkin spice enthusiast or just discovering the delights of fall baking, this recipe is a must-try. Gather your ingredients, embrace the season, and prepare to make a batch of these unforgettable pumpkin bars. They’re sure to become a cherished part of your autumn traditions.
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Print Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Bars
Ingredients
BARS
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 15 oz can pumpkin
- 4 eggs beaten
- 2 cups Bisquick baking mix Or your own HOMEMADE BISQUICK
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup raisins optional
FROSTING
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup butter softened
- 1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Spice liquid Creamer or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Grease a jelly roll pan (15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch), and set aside.
- In your mixer, beat together the sugar, pumpkin, oil, and beaten eggs for one minute until well combined. Gently fold in the Bisquick baking mix, pumpkin pie spice, and optional raisins until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared jelly roll pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
- To prepare the frosting, cream together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, Pumpkin Spice liquid Creamer (or milk), and vanilla extract in a mixer until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Spread evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars.
- Chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the frosting to set before slicing. Store any leftover bars in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
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