These pumpkin bars are soft, moist, and bursting with cozy fall flavors! Topped with a sweet brown sugar frosting, they are absolutely irresistible and perfect for sharing!
If you’re like me, you might need to hide a piece or two for later!😄 They’re so easy to make, just mix the ingredients, pour, bake, and frost—simple and satisfying!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pumpkin Puree: Use canned pumpkin puree for convenience! If you’re feeling adventurous, homemade puree is great too—just roast, blend, and strain your pumpkin. Remember, don’t use pumpkin pie filling; it has added spices and sugar.
Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves create that warm flavor blend. If you’re out of something, try using pumpkin pie spice instead! It combines all those flavors into one handy spice mix.
Brown Sugar: A key in both the bars and frosting, brown sugar adds warmth and moisture. If you don’t have any, white sugar can work, but the bars won’t be as rich. You can also try coconut sugar for a different flavor!
Vegetable Oil: This keeps your bars moist, but you can swap it for melted coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce for a healthier twist.
How Can I Ensure My Pumpkin Bars Are Perfectly Moist?
Achieving super moist pumpkin bars is all about careful mixing and baking. Here’s how:
- Don’t overmix the batter! Just stir until there’s no more dry flour. Overmixing can make the bars tough.
- Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, that’s just right!
- Let the bars cool completely before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and keeps it fluffy.
Following these tips will lead you to deliciously moist and flavorful pumpkin bars that you will enjoy sharing (or keeping to yourself!).
Delicious Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar Frosting
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pumpkin Bars:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Brown Sugar Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for garnish)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes for preparation and approximately 30-35 minutes for baking. Allow some additional time for cooling the bars before frosting, and you’ll need about 5 minutes to prepare the frosting. Altogether, plan for around 1 hour before enjoying your delicious pumpkin bars!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven and Prepare the Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9×13 inch baking pan and lightly grease it or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. This mix will give your bars that wonderful fall flavor! Set it aside for now.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Keep mixing until everything is smooth and combined.
4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients into Wet:
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or the bars may become tough!
5. Bake the Bars:
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell incredible during this time!
6. Cool the Bars:
Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is essential to allow the frosting to stick properly!
7. Make the Brown Sugar Frosting:
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the softened butter with the packed brown sugar. Stir constantly until the sugar has dissolved completely, and the mixture is hot but not boiling (about 2-3 minutes).
8. Combine Frosting Ingredients:
Take the saucepan off the heat and whisk in the heavy cream. Allow this mixture to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to a mixing bowl and add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
9. Frost the Pumpkin Bars:
Once your bars are completely cool, spread the creamy brown sugar frosting evenly over the top. Savor the aroma!
10. Optional Garnish:
If you like, sprinkle a light dusting of ground cinnamon over the frosting for an extra touch of flavor.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
Cut the bars into squares and serve them up! If there are any leftovers, make sure to store them covered in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
Indulge in these rich and flavorful pumpkin bars, complemented perfectly by the luscious brown sugar frosting! Enjoy every bite! 🍂🎃
Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned Puree?
Yes, you can use fresh pumpkin! Just roast the pumpkin, scoop out the flesh, and blend it until smooth. Make sure to measure out 15 oz for the recipe, and avoid using pie filling as it contains added sugars and spices.
How Do I Store Leftover Pumpkin Bars?
Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Be sure to let them cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
Can I Make These Bars Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Just make sure the blend you choose includes xanthan gum for proper texture.
How Can I Adjust the Sweetness of the Frosting?
If you’d like a less sweet frosting, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar to 1 ½ cups instead of 2. Taste as you go, and adjust according to your preference!
