Description
Pumpkin Bars with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting is the easiest, tastiest baking recipe you’ll make this Fall! The frosting resembles the flavor of a creamsicle and is perfectly smothered on the cakey pumpkin pie spiced pumpkin bars. So yummy, and perfect for any potluck, party, or just for a special treat at home!
Ingredients
PUMPKIN BARS BATTER:
- 1 cup solid-packed canned pumpkin
- 3/4 cup pure cane sugar
- 2/3 cup avocado oil
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for lightly dusting the cake pan
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- avocado oil spray, for coating the cake pan
ORANGE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
- 8–ounce cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
FOR TOPPING (OPTIONAL)
- Chopped Walnuts
- Orange Zest
- Flaky Salt
Instructions
- MAKE PUMPKIN BARS BATTER. In a mixing bowl or the bowl of your KitchenAid, combine the canned pumpkin, sugars, avocado oil, eggs, orange juice, and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Merge the sifted dry ingredients with the pumpkin mixture. Once the batter is well combined, fold in the chopped walnuts. You can use a KitchenAid with the flat beater attachment as I do, or you can just use a wooden spoon or handheld mixer.
- PREPARE THE CAKE PAN AND BAKE. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 C). Spray the entire inside of the 9-inch square cake pan with cooking spray (I use avocado oil spray). Sprinkle the pan with flour and shake it around to coat, shaking off any excess. Line the pan with parchment paper and dump in the batter. Use a rubber spatula to even out the pumpkin bars. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The pumpkin bars should spring back when lightly pressed. Check for doneness with a toothpick. Once done (after about 10 minutes) remove them from the pan by grabbing both ends of the parchment paper and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely.
- PREPARE THE ORANGE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING. Whip together the softened butter and cream cheese until well combined, about a minute. Add in the orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Mix until well combined and creamy. Cover the bowl and set it in the fridge until you’re ready to frost!
- FROST THE PUMPKIN BARS AND SPRINKLE WITH OPTIONAL TOPPINGS. Once the pumpkin bars are cooled completely, spread the frosting evenly. For an optional topping (great for presentation), grate some orange zest and combine it with a handful of chopped walnuts and a pinch of flaky salt. Sprinkle it evenly around the frosted pumpkin bars. Cut and enjoy! 🖤
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks & Desserts, Vegetarian
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
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