These moist pumpkin spice bars are topped with a sweet and creamy cream cheese frosting, and are surprisingly easy to make.
This post was originally published October 2015, but has since been rewritten and updated with new photos.
It’s that time of year. The time where 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 spice flavor during the Fall.
This super simple recipe for pumpkin spice 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.
I have been known to eat these pumpkin spice bars without the cream cheese frosting even, but they are even better topped. These 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 pumpkin spice 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.
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’s some other pumpkin desserts you’ll love:
- Low Carb Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Vanilla Cupcakes | Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Sweet Cream Icing
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Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
These pumpkin spice bars have the perfect amount of sweet cream cheese and creamy pumpkin flavor packed into a light and moist bar.
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 10x15" 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 Information
Yield 18 bars Serving Size 1 barAmount Per Serving Calories 502
Nutrition values are automatically calculated by third-party software using global standards. Please note that values can vary based on product brands and different nutritional calculators. The values stated here are only for a basic reference and are not evaluated by medical or nutritional professionals.
Jen
Sunday 14th of November 2021
When you say 1 can of pumpkin puree, do you mean a 15.5 oz or the 30 oz
Amanda
Monday 15th of November 2021
Oops sorry about that! The smaller can size, usually around 15oz. I will adjust the recipe!
Scarlet
Tuesday 25th of August 2020
Well, now you have done it! Those pumpkin spice bars got me crazing fall. THey sound so delicious with that cream cheese frosting!
Erlene
Sunday 30th of September 2018
Yummy! This sounds like a perfect pairing of pumpkin, spices, and cream cheese.
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