Pumpkin Bars

If you have yet to get in the mood for fall, this post will help you. I was so excited to make my first pumpkin recipe for the year and pumpkin bars were the perfect kickoff to fall. When I made these last year I made them with chocolate chips. But this time I chose to split it and make half with chocolate chips and half with cream cheese. I did this for my brother-in-law and here is why…

This past Friday we were heading to my sister-in-law’s house for game night. My brother-in-law does not like chocolate!  Please don’t ask, I have no idea what planet he is from. In order to make him happy I tried the cream cheese frosting on them. I didn’t know what I missing! Next time I make these I’m making a double batch of the cream cheese frosting and covering the whole thing.

One of the things I did change from the original recipe is add some fresh grated nutmeg. The only spice it calls for is cinnamon and I thought a little more spice wouldn’t hurt. Thankfully I was right and it really brought out the pumpkin flavor.

I hope you are now in the mood for fall and plan to make pumpkin bars. They make your whole house smell like fall!

Pumpkin Bars

  • 6 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cup oil (I use canola)
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 large can (29 oz) pumpkin
  • 3 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground or freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • Chocolate Chips (optional)
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a bowl.
  3. Mix together eggs, oil, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin. Fold in dry ingredients and pour into jelly roll pan, 13 x 18 baking sheet pan.
  4. If using chocolate chips sprinkle the chips over the pumpkin mixture.
  5. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Frost with cream cheese frosting, if using.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese
  • 8 Tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Blend together cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla.

Source: Slightly adapted from Real Mom Kitchen

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8 thoughts on “Pumpkin Bars

  1. You forgot to put “cute little pumpkin candies” on your ingredient list. And Dave says “you’re welcome” for showing you the light that is cream cheese frosting…

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