Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Indulge in the delightful flavors of the season with Pumpkin Cake Bars – a moist and flavorful pumpkin-spiced base topped with a velvety layer of cream cheese frosting. This easy-to-follow recipe promises a perfect balance of spice and creamy decadence in every bite.
Servings: 15 bars
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

These moist pumpkin spice bars are topped with a sweet and creamy cream cheese frosting, and are surprisingly easy to make.

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pinterest image with pumpkin spice bars text overlay

It’s that time of year. The time when pumpkin spice everything invades your coffee shops, grocery stores, and even your social media feeds! You won’t hear me complaining though. I’ve been known to overindulge in some pumpkin flavors during the Fall.

This super simple recipe for pumpkin cake bars, topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting is the perfect dessert to get you in the mood for Fall. You won’t believe how easy this recipe is to make! It starts with a boxed cake mix and has just 2 other ingredients for the pumpkin bars.

Close up Pumpkin bar on cake plate with back fork on a rustic white wood backdrop

I have been known to eat these pumpkin spice bars without the cream cheese frosting, but they are even better topped. Easy cake mix pumpkin bars are very light like cake since they start with a box mix, but they are thinner making them more like a bar.

These cake mix pumpkin bars are so moist and flavorful, and the cream cheese frosting really gives it that extra bit of sweetness. I even used a little bit of pumpkin spice sprinkled on top of the cream cheese frosting for a boost of flavor and a bit of color to the bars.

Pumpkin bar on cake plate with black fork on a white rustic wood backdrop

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

PUMPKIN SPICE BARS

  • 1 box Spice Cake Mix
  • 1 small can of Pumpkin Puree 15oz
  • 4 large eggs

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Equipment Needed:

For the Pumpkin Cake Bars

pumpkin bars in a pan with one cut out and on a plate

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 10″x15″ jelly roll plan.In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, can of pumpkin puree, and eggs until everything is well incorporated. Then pour the mixture into the prepared jelly roll pan. Spread the batter evenly with a silicone spatula. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Close up of cream cheese frosted pumpkin bar with yellow checked napkin

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

In another mixing bowl, cream the softened cream cheese, butter and milk together until the mixture is smooth. Add in the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, until a stiff consistency is formed.

Lastly, once the bars have cooled after baking, top them with the prepared cream cheese frosting. If desired, sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on top. Place the bars in the refrigerator to set up for 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving.

horizontal view of a plated cake bar with black fork on a rustic white wood backdrop

Store any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator.

    I’m going to let you in on a little secret too. This recipe is SO very versatile. You can use just about any cake mix and any can of filling to make the variation on these fit for any season. My personal favorite is using lemon cake mix and lemon pie filling. The lemon bars are so refreshing in the summertime!

    Here are some other pumpkin desserts you’ll love:

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    Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Indulge in the delightful flavors of the season with Pumpkin Cake Bars – a moist and flavorful pumpkin-spiced base topped with a velvety layer of cream cheese frosting. This easy-to-follow recipe promises a perfect balance of spice and creamy decadence in every bite.
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time:10 minutes
    Cook Time:30 minutes
    Set Up Time:1 hour
    Total Time:1 hour 40 minutes

    Ingredients

    Pumpkin Spice Bars

    • 1 box Spice Cake Mix
    • 1 small can Pumpkin Puree 15oz
    • 4 large eggs

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • 8 oz cream cheese softened
    • 1/2 cup butter softened
    • 1/4 cup milk
    • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (optional)

    Instructions

    Pumpkin Spice Bars

    • Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease a 10×15" jelly roll pan.
    • In a large bowl, mix together spice cake mix, pumpkin, and eggs together until fully combined.
    • Pour the mixture into prepared baking pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
    • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • While the bars are baking, prepare the frosting.
    • In a large bowl, cream together softened cream cheese, butter, and milk until smooth.
    • Add in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.
    • If you are using pumpkin pie spice, add while incorporating powdered sugar, or sprinkle some on top of bars after frosting.

    Assembly

    • Spread frosting onto cooled Pumpkin Spice Bars.
    • Let bars set up in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving.

    Notes

    You do not need the additional ingredients called for in the cake mix.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bar | Calories: 502kcal
    Servings: 15 bars
    Calories: 502kcal
    Author: Amanda

    6 Comments

    1. Well, now you have done it! Those pumpkin spice bars got me crazing fall. THey sound so delicious with that cream cheese frosting!

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