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We’re five days away from Thanksgiving! Woop. I don’t know about you guys but this month flew by. I feel like I just started my Thanksgiving Countdown but in reality next week is turkey day and then it’s officially Christmas season and with that comes the decorating, baking, shopping, eating and more eating. If it was up to me, I can personally skip Thanksgiving and go with Christmas for two straight months, so there would be no end to my holiday baking obsession.
See, I’ve been enjoying my baking a little too much lately. My kitchen feels like a bakery, going on for a good month plus now. I literally re-arranged everything so I can easily access all my baking things. Spent a fortune at Costco on eggs, butter, flour and sugar. My family have been my taste testers and honestly I think they’re getting tired of it. But I don’t know if it’s the blog, more time on my hands or just the smell of freshly baked cookies out of the oven but I’m excited to be baking as much as I am, considering I am NOT a baker. Plus I get to share some of the goodies with you guys, which makes me happy.
We’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving at my sister’s this year and I’m responsible for appetizers and desserts to feed about 20 people, which is half of my family (immediate that is). So easy and big come in handy when feeding a large crowd and these Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting can not be a more perfect dessert to add to a holiday table.
Super moist, fluffy and packed with pumpkin flavor. They are a great alternative to the pumpkin pie as you still taste the pumpkin but in a more subtle not a rich pumpkin-ey way. Topped with creamy cream cheese frosting and chopped nuts. You can omit the nuts if not a fan. They can be prepared in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator until serving time.
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 15 large bars or 30 small 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 4 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree
- 1 2/3 granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven 350F.
- Line a 9X13 baking pain with foil, extending the foil over the sides; lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin puree, sugar, and oil. Stir in flour mixture until combined. You can use a large whisk or hand held mixer for this step.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
- Using the edges of the foil, lift uncut bars out of the pan. Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting and sprinkle with walnuts. Cut into bars and serve.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, gradually. Continue beating until lump free and smooth.
Notes
adapted with slight changes from Better Homes and Garden “100 Best Cookies” 2014
Barb B. says
This was really good, but was pretty thick, so it took much longer than 30 min. to bake. Has anyone tried it in a 15 x 10” jelly roll pan? I only used 1 1/3 c. Sugar and 2 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice rather than just cinnamon. Next time I will use 1 TBS. Those spices are really good for you. I didn’t frost them either.
★★★★★
Barb B. says
This was really good, but was pretty thick, so it took much longer than 30 min. to bake. Has anyone tried it in a 15 x 10” jelly roll pan? I only used 1 1/3 c. Sugar and 2 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice rather than just cinnamon. Next time I will use 1 TBS. Those spices are really good for you
★★★★★
Joanne says
It is CRAZY how time is flying!! You can’t go wrong where cream cheese frosting is involved. This is a great treat for feeding a crowd!
Katya says
Thanks girlfriend! Have a great holiday 🙂
Beth @ The First Year says
My stomach is growling!!! As excited as I am for Christmas and all the baking that comes with it, I am already looking forward to summer 🙂
Katya says
Well, yes nothing beats summer! I usually hit a low right after New Years and start counting down to warmer days. Have a great Thanksgiving Beth!
Mary Ann says
Katya,
Looking at the beautiful photos brings back fond memories of yesterday’s treats — I was lucky enough to get the last of the Pumpkin Bars you were kind enough to send with Max — yummm!! I didn’t know a bar could be THAT fluffy in texture, that was a surprise. As for the frosting, that level of smooth just made the day seem brighter right away; you must have put some time in beating it, and it was worth it. These will be added to our family’s Thanksgiving feast this year, for sure.
Katya says
Thank you Mary Ann! I’m so grateful that Max can share some of the goodies with you guys. Let me know how they work out if you end up making them. Have a great holiday!
Mira says
I love pumpkin bars, and paired with cream cheese frosting sounds awesome! Definitely a great choice for Thanksgiving! Pinned!
Katya says
Thanks Mira! I love this alternative to pumpkin pie. All the great taste but without the fuss
Hubby says
Baby, everyone loved these things. These were a hit at the office.
Love you.
★★★★★
Katya says
I’m so happy! You have the best co-workers. Mwah.
Valya of valyastasteofhome.com says
Wow! Looks mouthwatering! That’s funny we are in a bar baking mood. I’m posting my bars tomorrow. 🙂
★★★★★
Katya says
Thanks Valya. I love bars, they are a no brainer! Looking forward to see what you have planned tomorrow 🙂
Edward says
Max shared your delicious pumpkin bar treats with us this morning. I must say, it’s great that your kitchen seems like a bakery, because when it does, work here seems like a gourmet restaurant. Thank you for sharing!! Ed
★★★★★
Katya says
Lol! Thanks Ed. I’m glad you enjoyed the pumpkin bars and I’m sure there will be more coming in next weeks or so. Thank you for your comment. Have a great day!