Pumpkin Bars: A Family Favorite for Fall

Name: Pumpkin Bars and Cream Cheese Frosting (with a Gluten free alternative recipe)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 24-48
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 eggs , 2 cups sugar, 2 cups pumpkin purée, ¾ cup butter (1 ½ sticks),1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups flour (or Gluten-Free King Arthur Measure-for-Measure flour), 2 tsp baking powder ,1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp ground cloves,1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

October 25, 2024 | By Alexandra Tzougros

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It’s the time of year for an age-old question: which comes first- the pumpkin bars or the change of seasons? Pumpkin bars are the perfect dessert to kick off fall festivities, before or after the leaves drop and that fall smell is in the air. They’re an iconic, transitional pumpkin treat as we ready ourselves for the real pumpkin star, Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. This recipe is my family’s secret weapon for all autumn activities, and after you try it, it’ll be yours too.

I have so many memories of whipping these up at home with my family as a kid. We’d bring them to school events and parties, or make them just for us. Now, out in the world, my siblings and I have made it our mission to share our love of these pumpkin bars at our own fall shindigs. The source of the recipe was only revealed to me this year– it’s my great-grandmother’s! She uncovered the base recipe of what would become a treasured family recipe while working for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. As this recipe has been passed down, more and more spices have been added, because we season with our hearts and not with our spoons, though I’ve tried to capture the quantities just for you. As someone who’s gluten-free, I’ve adapted this beloved family recipe by simply trading regular flour for my favorite gluten-free flour alternative (King Authur’s Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour), and it’s just as moist and delicious as the original version. Perfect for everyone to enjoy! Try out this fall dessert full of flavors that could change the seasons!

Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 40 mins
Serving:24-48 Bars (depending on your preferred bar thickness)
Pan: 12”x17”x1” jelly roll pan or sheet cake pan

Ingredients:

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin purée
¾ cup butter (1 ½ sticks)
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour (or Gluten-Free King Arthur Measure-for-Measure flour)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar, pumpkin, vanilla, and butter.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pumpkin pie spice. (Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking—my family always seasons from the heart!)

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until well combined.

5. Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Let the bars cool completely before adding the cream cheese frosting.

Try this alternative:
This recipe’s batter also works wonderfully as pumpkin bread or muffin. Just fold in nuts (like pecans) and/or chocolate chips before adding to the appropriate pan. Get creative with it!

Cream Cheese Frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 stick room temperature butter (Note to self, take out butter right away! If the butter is too cold, the frosting will be lumpy, and no one wants that!)
1 8oz package of room temperature cream cheese
⅛ tsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients until smooth.

2. Spread on the cooled pumpkin bars and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

3. Cut into squares and serve!

We always cut and serve them in cupcake liners to make it easier. These bars are also perfect for sharing with coworkers; just ask the TIK team, they love them!