Pumpkin Spice Bars

Pumpkin Spice Bars

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Bars — The Sweetest Slice of Fall

If autumn could bake you a love letter, it would smell like cinnamon, taste like pumpkin, and be topped with cream cheese frosting.

 

Some desserts are good. Some desserts are great. And then there are Pumpkin Spice Bars — the kind of treat that makes you pause mid‑bite and say, “Oh wow.” They’re soft, moist, and loaded with cozy fall spices, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that’s basically dessert royalty.

They’re perfect for bake sales, holiday platters, or just a Tuesday afternoon pick‑me‑up. And the best part? They look bakery‑fancy but are totally doable in your own kitchen.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you a “frosting all the way to the edges” person or a “just a thin layer” kind of baker?

This is my favorite season! Beautiful Fall leaves, temperatures are perfect, and the food….let’s talk about the food! It’s all about comfort food, I might shed a tear of happiness just thinking about my loves!

 

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

• Pumpkin: Vitamin A + fiber — so yes, these bars are basically health food (wink).
• Cinnamon & Pumpkin Pie Spice: Antioxidants + cozy flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Calcium and creamy texture.
• Butter: Richness and moisture in every bite.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you make your own pumpkin pie spice blend or buy it ready‑made?

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for Bar Perfection

• Don’t Overmix: Keeps bars tender and fluffy.
• Cool Before Frosting: Warm bars will melt the frosting into a glaze.
• Pumpkin Purity: Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
• Frosting Upgrade: Add a pinch of cinnamon to the frosting for extra fall flair.

🔄 Recipe Variations

• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter.
• Maple Frosting: Swap vanilla in the frosting for maple extract.
• Chocolate Twist: Fold in white chocolate chips for a sweet contrast.
• Mini Bars: Make bite‑sized versions in a mini muffin tin.

💬 Reader prompt: Which variation would you bring to a fall bake sale?

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids help sprinkle raw sugar — it’s basically edible glitter.
• Make mini bars for lunchbox treats.
• Serve with a warm mug of cider for an after‑school surprise.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Pumpkin Stockpile: Canned pumpkin lasts ages — grab extra during fall sales.
• Cream Cheese Savings: Store brands are often just as creamy as name brands.
• Spice Shortcut: Buy pumpkin pie spice in bulk for holiday baking season.
• Butter Tip: Freeze extra sticks when they’re on sale.

🎯 Reader Challenge

Make these pumpkin spice bars this week and give them your own twist — maybe a chocolate drizzle, a streusel topping, or a maple‑pecan version. Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsPumpkinBars so we can all get inspired (and hungry).

🥪 Leftover Remix

• Pumpkin Bar Trifle: Layer crumbled bars with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
• Pumpkin Sundae: Warm a bar, top with vanilla ice cream, and drizzle with caramel.
• Breakfast Treat: Pair with coffee or hot cocoa for a sweet start to the day.

 

Pumpkin Spice Bars

Print

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 sticks butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 stick butter, softened to room temperature
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• optional: raw sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line the 9x13 pan with parchment paper with enough overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars (as a whole).
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice together in a large bowl. Set aside. Whisk the butter, eggs, brown sugar, sugar, pumpkin, and vanilla together until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and use a mixer or whisk until completely combined. Batter will be thick.
3. Spread batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 28-35 minutes. Baking times vary, The bars are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you find the top or edges of the bars browning too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil.
4. Remove the bars from the oven. Let bars cool for about 45 minutes, you can place the bars in the refrigerator to speed things up!)
5. Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, and vanilla. Beat until everything is combined. Spread the frosting on the cooled bars. To help “set” the frosting, refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This makes cutting easier and less messy.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Bar, Based on 24 Bars)

• Calories: ~210
• Total Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 45mg
• Sodium: 180mg
• Total Carbs: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 20g
• Protein: 3g

💡 Note: These are estimates — actual values will vary depending on frosting thickness and portion size.

 

💭 Final Thoughts

These Pumpkin Spice Bars are proof that fall baking can be both beautiful and delicious. They’re cozy, flavorful, and just the right amount of indulgent — the kind of treat that makes you pause mid‑bite and smile.

They’re also a great make‑ahead option. Bake them the day before, store in an airtight container, and frost just before serving for maximum wow factor. And because they’re so easy to customize, you can make them your own every single time.

Here’s the thing about these bars — they’re more than just a seasonal bake. They’re a kitchen mood‑booster, a coffee‑break companion, and a guaranteed way to make your home smell like a fall candle (but better, because you can eat them). They’re the golden pumpkin crumb meeting the creamy frosting in perfect harmony, the kind of bake that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together — even if you’re still in slippers at noon.

They’re also a conversation starter. Bring them to a gathering and watch people hover near the plate, debating whether to go for the prettiest slice or the biggest one. Someone will inevitably ask for the recipe, and you’ll get to smile knowingly as you hand it over.

And the best part? They’re forgiving. You can follow the recipe exactly, or you can play — add nuts, spices, chocolate, or even a surprise filling. They’ll still turn out gorgeous and delicious.

So here’s my challenge to you: make them, share them, and tell me your twist. Did you go chocolatey? Did you add maple? Did you eat one warm from the oven with no plate, no fork, just pure bar joy? (No judgment — I’ve been there.) Snap a pic, post it, and tag it so we can all drool together.

💬 Reader prompt: Should we do a “Pumpkin Everything” series next? I’m thinking pumpkin cinnamon rolls, pumpkin cheesecake bars, and maybe even pumpkin tiramisu…

Until then, may your frosting be generous, your pumpkin be pure, and your fall baking be full of joy.

Did you try our pumpkin spice bars recipe? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!

 

 

LET’S HEAR IT FOR PUMPKIN!

 

This recipe for Pumpkin Toffee Bars rock your socks! It’s filled with creamy pumpkin filling to crunchy toffee. Seriously, do you need anything else?

 

 

These little gems baked pumpkin donut holes will put a smile on your face!  They are soft and delicious and coated in cinnamon sugar! They’re the perfect fall .

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Time! Pumpkin Pie Crisp is  hands down better than your traditional pie!  It’s easy make with a too die for flavor! This recipe will knock your socks off!