Description
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese are a simple and delicious fall dessert. These soft, warmly spiced pumpkin bars are topped with a creamy cheesecake-style mixture, making them perfect for autumn gatherings, holiday parties, and seasonal baking.
Ingredients
- For the Pumpkin Bars:
- 4 eggs
- 1 2/3 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 3/4 cups pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- For the Cream Cheese Mixture:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 10 x 15 x 1-inch jelly roll pan with nonstick spray, line it with parchment paper, and spray the paper. Set aside.
- To make the pumpkin bars, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a bowl. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the 4 eggs with the sugar. Add the vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla, then mix until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla until smooth. Add the 2 beaten eggs and mix just until combined.
- Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag or a zip-top bag and snip off a corner. Pipe diagonal lines of the cream cheese mixture across the pumpkin batter.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the pumpkin bars to cool completely before cutting and serving.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing to help create a smooth topping.
- Mix the cream cheese mixture just until combined after adding the eggs.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper to make the bars easier to remove and slice.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting for cleaner slices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American