Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Bars​

This easy Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Bars recipe is a delicious fall treat that’s perfect for any gathering. Made with creamy pumpkin puree and topped with spiced cream cheese frosting, these bars are quick to whip up using common ingredients. Enjoy the warm, cozy flavors that make these bars a must-try!

Ingredients Needed:

For the Pumpkin Bars:

• 1 ½ cups unsweetened pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Baking spray with flour

For the Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 5 cups powdered sugar

How To Cook Pumpkin Bars​:

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. Then add the all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt, stirring until just combined.
• Prepare the Baking Pan: Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with baking spray that contains flour. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth it out with a spatula.
• Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
• Make the Frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Add the softened butter, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice, beating until well combined and creamy. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
• Frost and Serve: Spread the spiced cream cheese frosting on top of the cooled pumpkin bars. Cut into squares and serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator to keep the frosting firm.

Recipe Tips

• Use Fresh Pumpkin Puree: For the best flavor, use fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned. It adds a richer taste to your bars.
• Measure Ingredients Accurately: Make sure to measure your flour and sugar precisely. Too much or too little can change the texture of your bars.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Let the pumpkin bars cool completely in the pan before adding the frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and becoming runny.
• Add Nuts or Chocolate Chips: For extra texture and flavor, mix in chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter before baking. It gives your bars a delicious twist.
• Store Properly: Keep leftover pumpkin bars in an airtight container in the fridge. This helps them stay fresh and moist for several days.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Let leftover pumpkin bars cool until they are at room temperature. Then, put them in a sealed container and store in the fridge. They will stay good for about a week.
• Freeze: To freeze, cut the pumpkin bars into squares and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Put them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, take them out of the freezer and place them in the fridge overnight before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 bar

• Calories: 327
• Total Fat: 18.1 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Cholesterol: 53.7 mg
• Sodium: 209.6 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 40.2 g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.9 g
• Sugars: 29 g
• Protein: 3 g

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Bartlesville Cream Pie
• Pioneer Woman Chuckwagon Brownies
• Pioneer Woman Orange Bars
• Pioneer Woman Boozy Berry Upside Down Cake
• Pioneer Woman Lemon Berry Icebox Cake