Top image: A slice of pumpkin sheet cake topped with tangy cream cheese frosting and toasted pecans on a white plate next to a fork. Bottom image: Closeup view of cream cheese frosting with pieces of toasted pecans.

The quintessential fall flavor stars in this family favorite recipe for Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Pumpkin Bar with Cream Cheese Frosting on white plate with fork

We're jumping into fall with a tried and tested recipe that's been in my family's dessert rotation for more than a decade: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Whether you call these sliceable sweets Pumpkin Bars or Pumpkin Sheet Cake, one thing is certain: It's hard to beat the pairing of pumpkin and tangy cream cheese frosting.

Cream cheese frosting sprinkled with chopped pecans

This recipe originally appeared in a 1976 issue of Better Homes and Gardens under the title of "Paul's Pumpkin Bars." But year-after-year as trays of the bars were served up at my family functions, we adapted the dessert to be our own by spicing it up with plenty of ground cloves and ginger.

Pumpkin bars batter in mixing bowl with chopped pecans

If you're craving that classic pumpkin dessert flavor but don't want to go the extra mile for DIY pie dough, this is the autumnal sweet for you.

Chopped toasted pecans add a bit of nutty crunch in each bite while swirls of tangy cream cheese frosting complement the spiciness of the pumpkin cake batter.

Cream cheese frosting in a clear mixing bowl

Best of all, if these pumpkin bars are part of your holiday menu (when oven space is scarce and time is even more scarce), feel free to prep them a day in advance, keeping the bars and frosting separate, then assemble them before serving.

Spreading cream cheese frosting on pumpkin bars

Additional chopped toasted pecans and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon are a final festive touch to this guaranteed crowd-pleaser of a sweet.

For more fast and flavor-packed pumpkin desserts, don't miss Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispies Treats, Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies and Pumpkin Dip with Pie Fries!

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For the bars:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 (16-oz.) can pumpkin
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

For the frosting:

  • 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Make the pumpkin bars:

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Set it aside.

  • In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the eggs, pumpkin, sugar and oil.

  • Add the flour mixture to the stand mixer and mix well then add the chopped pecans.

  • Spread the mix into an ungreased 15x10x1" cookie sheet. Bake the pumpkin bars for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

  • Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely while you prepare the frosting.

Make the frosting:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese, butter and vanilla.

  • Gradually add the sifted powder sugar to the cream cheese mixture until well-combined.

  • Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and sprinkle with the remaining chopped pecans. Slice and serve.

  • ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!

Calories: 371 kcal , Carbohydrates: 50 g , Protein: 4 g , Fat: 17 g , Saturated Fat: 7 g , Cholesterol: 74 mg , Sodium: 308 mg , Potassium: 147 mg , Fiber: 1 g , Sugar: 32 g , Vitamin A: 335 IU , Vitamin C: 0.1 mg , Calcium: 52 mg , Iron: 1.5 mg

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