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close up of a sliced pumpkin bar, topped with white cream cheese frosting and green, white, and red sprinkles.
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Pumpkin Bars with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

These Pumpkin Bars with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting are special because my recipes calls for more than double the pumpkin, compared to most pumpkin bar recipes. Rich spiced pumpkin bars paired with creamy, tangy cheesecake frosting creates an irresistible harmony of flavors. The perfect fall treat!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1, 30 ounce can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½  cups sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1½  teaspoons baking soda
  • 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½  teaspoon nutmeg

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 pinches salt
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream as needed

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • Grease a standard size cookie sheet and set aside.
  • Mix together wet ingredients.
  • Stir in sugar until fully incorporated.
  • Mix together dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then mix into the wet ingredients.
  • Bake for 22-25 minutes and until the center springs back when touched, or the internal temperature reaches at least 200ºF.
  • Let cool, then frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Over medium heat, heat the butter until melted. Continue to swirl or stir the butter until browned and nutty, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  • Combine all ingredients except the powdered sugar in a medium bowl or stand mixer and blend together until smooth.
  • Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Incorporate each cup of sugar before adding the next. Add milk or cream as needed to thin.

Notes

  • This frosting recipe makes a generous amount of cream cheese frosting. Use as much as you’d like on the bars, then freeze any leftover in an airtight container or a sandwich bag. Thaw overnight or in 15 second increments in the microwave when you’re ready to use it again for cinnamon rolls, cakes, or other baked goods.
  • This pumpkin bar recipe also tastes delicious with my Brown Butter Pecan Frosting.