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–+ servings
Ultra close-up macro of soft spiced pumpkin bars smothered in thick luscious vanilla cream cheese frosting and cinnamon spice

Soft Spiced Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Incredibly plush, melt-in-your-mouth spiced pumpkin sheet bars baked to golden perfection and blanketed under a thick, fluffy swirl of rich vanilla cream cheese frosting.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

Tender Spiced Pumpkin Sheet Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoon ground Ceylon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup dark brown sugar packed for deep caramel moisture
  • 1 cup canola or vegetable oil for an ultra-plush crumb
  • 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin puree 100% pure pumpkin, not pie filling
  • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 1 block (8 oz) brick cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt balances rich sweetness
  • ½ cup toasted pecans finely chopped, optional for garnish

Method
 

Prep & Whisk Batter
  1. Preheat & Line Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 11x15-inch or standard half-sheet jelly roll pan with nonstick baking spray, lining with parchment paper for effortless lifting.
  2. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and sea salt.
  3. Beat Wet Ingredients: In a large stand mixer bowl or with a hand mixer, beat eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract on medium speed for 2 minutes until light, voluminous, and glossy.
  4. Fold Batter: Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula just until thoroughly incorporated. Do not overbeat.
Bake to Cloud-Soft Perfection
  1. Spread & Bake: Pour batter into prepared jelly roll pan and smooth evenly with an offset spatula. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake springs back lightly when pressed. Cool completely on a wire rack for 45 minutes.
Frost, Slice & Garnish
  1. Whip Frosting: In a clean mixer bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter for 3 minutes until pale and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on low until combined, then whip on high for 2 minutes until cloud-like and fluffy.
  2. Spread & Slice: Spread thick cream cheese frosting evenly over cooled pumpkin sheet cake using an offset spatula. Dust with extra cinnamon and scatter toasted chopped pecans. Slice into 24 bars and serve chilled or room temperature!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 1250IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Always ensure the pumpkin bars are 100% cooled to room temperature before spreading the cream cheese frosting. Spreading over a warm cake will cause the frosting butter to melt and slide off.

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