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Here’s my go-to autumn snack. These Pumpkin Bars seriously blow people away. All those warm spices mix up beautifully and they’re topped with the dreamiest spiced cream cheese swirls. They’re party favorites and honestly folks always beg me for the secret.
Why You’ll Love These Bars
These pumpkin bars aren’t just your regular treat. The texture is magically soft but holds up—grab one and snack away. Brown sugar and all those cozy spices just melt together. Once you spread that cream cheese frosting on, it’s out of this world.
What You’ll Gather
- Topping: Pile on loads of that sweet, spiced cream cheese frosting.
- Extra Yum: Dash in some vanilla for extra flavor.
- Richness: Eggs make them taste so rich and smooth.
- Sweet Stuff: White sugar, a handful of brown sugar, and a splash of maple syrup.
- Star Player: The whole can of smooth pumpkin puree does the heavy lifting.
- Keep it Moist: Good old veggie oil for a soft bite.
- Cozy Spices: Pumpkin pie spice and a sprinkle of cinnamon mean instant fall vibes.
- Rise and Shine: Use baking soda and baking powder together to get a nice lift.
- The Base: Use normal flour to give them the right hold.
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Baking Is a Breeze
- Final Touch
- When cool, go wild with that frosting and make them look great.
- Bring It Together
- Mix everything just until blended, pour into your baking pan, then bake at 350°F for half an hour.
- Get Whisking
- Stir the oil, eggs, maple syrup, sugars, vanilla, and pumpkin together till it’s silky.
- Start Simple
- Combine all your dry stuff so it’s ready to add.
Level Up the Fun
Sometimes all I do is shake on some powdered sugar, but that fluffy spiced cream cheese frosting is next-level. Pop on some cute pumpkin candy, a bit of caramel drizzle, or colorful sprinkles to make them pop for celebrations.
Storing Made Easy
Toss ‘em in the fridge and they’ll be totally fine for up to four days. Take them out and let them lose the chill before digging in. Got extras? Wrap them up tight, pop them in the freezer for three months tops, and defrost overnight.
They Always Come Through
These have that sweet-spot vibe—soft like cake but you can eat them with your hands. That tangy, spiced frosting is the ultimate combo with the pumpkin. They’re perfect for fall hangouts or whenever you want a lil’ treat to cozy up your day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why is canned pumpkin better than fresh?
Canned pumpkin (like Libby’s) gives much better results. Fresh purée can end up too watery and affects the flavor.
- → Can I swap out some of the oil?
Sure! You can cut the oil in half and replace it with unsweetened applesauce. Your bars will still stay moist but will have less fat.
- → Why chill before slicing?
Cooling them helps firm up the frosting. This makes slicing easier and keeps the edges neat and clean.
- → How early can I prepare them?
Make them up to 2 days before serving if you leave them unfrosted. You can also freeze unfrosted bars for 3 months. Even frosted ones freeze well!
- → Can I make my own pumpkin spice mix?
Absolutely! Combine cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of allspice, based on what the recipe needs.