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This Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars make the perfect fall dessert. Adding the homemade cream cheese frosting makes this fall treat even better.
These pumpkin bars are always served during Thanksgiving. It is full of pumpkin flavor and the best cream cheese frosting. This easy recipe is loved by everyone and is the perfect pumpkin dessert.
If you love pumpkin flavored recipes, make sure to try these recipes – Pumpkin Cheesecake, 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins and Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats.
Table of Contents
Why We Love these Pumpkin Bars
We love making dessert bars because they are easy to serve. We always make these pumpkin bars and Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars anytime we host holiday dinners.
The ingredients are simple and I love that everything is made from scratch.
Ingredients
- All Purpose Flour – Feel free to use gluten free flour
- Ground Cinnamon – Add in Pumpkin Pie Spice as an easy substitute
- Baking Soda – See The Best Baking Soda Substitutes if you are out
- Pure Pumpkin – Make sure to use pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
How to Make Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars
For the Pumpkin Bars:
- Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9X13 baking pan or line the pan with parchment paper with enough overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars (as a whole) out.
Step 2 – In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
Step 3 – In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil and pumpkin until combined. Then combine eggs into pumpkin batter until completely mixed together.
Step 4 – Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. You can also combine on medium speed with an electric mixer. Make sure to scrape sides of the bowl to ensure everything is mixed together.
Step 5 – Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared baking pan.
Step 6 – Bake for 30-32 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Step 7 – Beat together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer.
Step 8 – Add in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Mix on a low speed until combined and the frosting is smooth.
Step 9 – Spread the frosting onto the cooled and easy pumpkin bars. Then the pumpkin bars are to cut, serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Cool Bars – After removing the bars from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature for topping with the frosting.
- Cream Cheese – Make sure the package cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing with the other ingredients. This will create a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Baking – Baking time will vary for the pumpkin bars. Make sure to not overbake for the perfect texture. We like to use a toothpick to ensure that the center is completely baked. If the toothpick comes out clean then the pumpkin bars are finished baking.
Serving Suggestions
Pumpkin bars make a delicious dessert recipe but we also enjoy with my morning coffee such as Best Iced Coffee Recipe or Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate.
These pumpkin bars are great to serve for brunch with a Paula Deen Breakfast Casserole Recipe with a side of Fruit Salad Recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you frost dessert bars with cream cheese frosting, they need to be refrigerated.
Cover leftover bars tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. If you skipped the frosting, cover and store plain pumpkin bars at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Yes, you can freeze pumpkin bars which makes it easier to prepare for holiday baking. Store the bars in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. We usually freeze the pumpkin bars without the frosting.
More Paula Deen Recipes
Easy Cake
Paula Deen Strawberry Cake Recipe
Easy Copycat
Paula Deen Cinnamon Rolls
Easy Pie
Paula Deen Pecan Pie
We love to hear from you. If you make Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 can Pure Pumpkin 15 ounces
- 4 Large Eggs
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup Butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Pumpkin Bars:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9X13 baking pan or line the pan with parchment paper with enough overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars (as a whole) out.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil and pumpkin until combined.
- Then add in the eggs and whisk until combined.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 30-32 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove the bars from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature for topping with the frosting.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Beat together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer.
- Add in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Mix on a low speed until combined and the frosting is smooth.
- Spread the frosting onto the cooled pumpkin bars. Then the pumpkin bars are to cut, serve and enjoy!
The best pumpkin flavor!