One-Bowl Pumpkin Pie Bars with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

Soft pumpkin bars baked in a single pan topped with cinnamon-spiced cream cheese frosting for a quick holiday-inspired dessert. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 8 oz softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (for frosting)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x9-inch square baking pan.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp salt until fully combined.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 2 large eggs to the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until the batter is smooth and uniform.
4. Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
5. Step 5: Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are lightly golden.
6. Step 6: While the bars cool completely, prepare the frosting by beating together 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
7. Step 7: Spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars.
8. Step 8: Cut into 16 squares and serve chilled or at room temperature for a moist, spiced dessert.