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Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

By Courtney 32 Comments

These Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting are easy to make and even easier to share! Make a batch to snack on for the week or bring to your next get-together with friends or family – they’re sure to be a hit.

*************

Every once in a while, I come across a recipe that was published here on the blog a while back that sort of got “lost” in the shuffle of 8+ years of posts. I mean, hey, it’s bound to happen, right? But these Pumpkin Spice Bars I’m sharing (or, rather, re-sharing) with you today are something that just cannot stay hidden.

This recipe was originally published back in 2014 – over 4 years ago. Crazy! So some of you may remember them and some of you may not, but either way, I think you’ll love ’em! Now on to the original post…

*************

So, it’s officially fall now…are you guys going gaga over all things pumpkin? Or are you totally over it, since it basically started like, back in July?

Well either way, I hope you’ve still got some room for a little extra pumpkin in your life because these pumpkin spice bars I have to share with you today are where. it’s. at.

There was a random weekday recently where I got the sudden urge to bake with pumpkin (this was actually my first pumpkin recipe of the season). I didn’t want to do a bread, since I already have plenty of quick bread recipes, and I didn’t want to do a full out cake either. So I decided to go with something in “bar” form…even if it does look just like cake and has frosting on top.

But oh, the frosting.

Is it just me, or is cream cheese frosting just the best? I love its rich, creamy taste, but I also like how it’s not quite as sweet as regular buttercream (even though I’ll be the first to admit that I’d choose store-bought Bettercream frosting over whipped. Gimme da sugar…anyone else?).

I’m sure my Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting would also be killer on these bars.

But yes, back to the bars. After I made these, I found myself coming up with excuses to eat them at pretty much anytime of day…breakfast (oh, it’s just like pumpkin bread, it can be breakfast!), mid-day snacks (nothing like a sweet pick-me-up), and of course, as after dinner dessert. They were also pretty darn delish with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream next to it. Just sayin’.

Since this recipe makes quite a large batch, I brought a bunch of them in to work with me and I’ll tell you that I got more positive feedback on these than I have on anything else I’ve brought in to share.

So that’s saying something.

Go ahead and give these delectably, seasonally sweet bars a try. I promise, you won’t regret it.

Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life

Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

15 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

45 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

    Cake Ingredients:
  • 4 eggs
  • 1-3/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup canola oil*
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 3oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray bottom and sides of a 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, applesauce, honey, and pumpkin until smooth. Stir in flour and remaining dry ingredients until just mixed. Spread in pan.
  3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until light brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack, about 2 hours.
  4. To make the frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with electric mixer until smooth. Add cinnamon and gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed until smooth and spreadable. Frost bars, cut, and enjoy!

Notes

*The original recipe called for 1 cup of oil so I cut that in half, adding in the applesauce. You could always stick with all oil, or attempt all applesauce, if desired.

7.8.1.2
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https://www.sweettoothsweetlife.com/pumpkin-spice-bars-cinnamon-cream-cheese-frosting/

Not gonna lie…these were quote a challenge to photograph without digging in to.

Whoops.

Give ’em a try and tell me what you think! And if you really feel like baking up a storm, here are a few more fall favorites…

Vanilla Glazed Cranberry Apple Cookies

Apple Cider Cupcakes with Apple Cider Cream Cheese Frosting

Courtney’s Apple Crisp

The Best Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

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Related

October 23, 2018 Filed Under: Cake/Cupcake Recipe Tagged With: cream cheese frosting, pumpkin recipes, Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

About Courtney

I'm a working mom of two beautiful little boys, Lucas and Alex, and I began writing Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life in April 2010. I enjoy chronicling my love of food (healthy and indulgent!), baking, motherhood, fitness, fashion, and everything in between!

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Comments

  1. Brynn says

    September 24, 2014 at 6:29 am

    As odd as it sounds, I think I need to try the double grilled bread approach. Extra butter and crunch - why not?!
    Reply
  2. Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says

    September 24, 2014 at 7:19 am

    Oh my these look divine!
    Reply
  3. Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says

    September 24, 2014 at 7:32 am

    What is it about the combination of pumpkin and cream cheese? It's straight up divine!
    Reply
  4. Monica says

    September 24, 2014 at 8:23 am

    I don't think I could ever get sick of hearing about pumpkin spice. Fall is my favorite time of year, and nothing says fall like pumpkin & spice! I'm sure the grilled cheese would be good double buttered/grilled, but it seems like an added mess and added time, which isn't good for me since I'm always hangry...
    Reply
  5. Britt@MyOwnBalance says

    September 24, 2014 at 9:20 am

    I had my first pumpkin thing yesterday. I put it off as long as possible because I'm just not ready until the weather cools down!
    Reply
  6. Alexa Besgen says

    September 24, 2014 at 9:50 am

    I have yet to try your frosting recipes, (Idk how!!) but this one looks amazing, as usual. Can't wait to try this!
    Reply
  7. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says

    September 24, 2014 at 10:00 am

    I'm finally embracing pumpkin in all forms - tis the season ;-) these look so good! And I think I'm going to have to try that approach to grilled cheese...
    Reply
  8. April @ Simply Sweet Living says

    September 24, 2014 at 10:04 am

    Oh those look delicious! I may need to make these soon. :) I've never heard of assembling grilled cheese that way, I may have to try that soon also. With a side of tomato soup! Mmmmmm
    Reply
  9. Angela @ HonestlyAngela says

    September 24, 2014 at 10:11 am

    Cream cheese frosting is the reason I eat carrot cake, and cinnamon buns - it is the best! I am definitely making these. I have some pumpkin in the fridge I need to use up and these bars sound amazing! Thank you for the recipe!
    Reply
  10. Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says

    September 24, 2014 at 10:16 am

    Oh these bars look fantastic, and the frosting...I'm totally drooling over here! I will never get tired of pumpkin. It's the best! Totally making these asap!
    Reply
  11. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says

    September 24, 2014 at 10:25 am

    If you call it a "bar" you don't have to think of it as dessert. And cream cheese icing is the best thing ever!
    Reply
  12. Dana says

    September 24, 2014 at 11:13 am

    This recipe. looks. Amazing. Every year for my birthday I order a pumpkin spice cake from a lady at my local farmers market. This year I wasn't planning on doing that for various reasons, and I was kinda bummed, not getting my pumpkin cake fix and all. But now I can!!! I'm so excited!! (insert girlish squeaks and squeals here) Thanks for sharing! : )
    Reply
  13. Trisha says

    September 24, 2014 at 11:18 am

    These look absolutely amazing. Can't wait to make! Question: Honey isn't listed in the ingredients but is listed in the directions. I'm sure it would be fine without but since it sounds like a pretty spectacular addition, I'm curious how much you added?
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      September 24, 2014 at 11:31 am

      Whoops, thanks Trisha! Honey actually is an ingredient, and I forgot to add it to the list. It's there now (1/4 cup!). Thanks for pointing that out :)
      Reply
      • Trisha says

        September 24, 2014 at 11:39 am

        Thanks for the quick reply, I might not be able to go another day without making these! :)
        Reply
  14. Carrie (This Fit Chick) says

    September 24, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    Ah these look incredible! I'm not usually a fan of cream cheese frosting, so I put in extra sweetness- I need it sweet! I LOVE pumpkin bread though, so these are going to be perfect for me!
    Reply
  15. Alex @ Get Big, Go To Work says

    September 24, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Yum!!! These look sooo delicious!
    Reply
  16. Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says

    September 24, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    These look incredible! I love cream cheese icing too. It's so good with pumpkin. And my husband makes grilled cheese like that where he butters both sides but I don't. I'm not sure it's worth the extra effort and calories but it is good!
    Reply
  17. Shawna says

    September 24, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    I am becoming completely obsessed with all things pumpkin. I never used to even like fall as a season because I am a Christmas person and I felt like fall/halloween got in the way of that. This year I'm buying so many fall decorations and candles. I will definitely be making this recipe ASAP, maybe this weekend for tailgating for the football game. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
    Reply
  18. kristin @ W [H] A T C H says

    September 24, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    yum yum yum! can't get enough pumpkin right now.
    Reply
  19. Sara @ Lake Shore Runner says

    September 24, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    It is pumpkin everything time! I just made Pumpkin Oat Bars this weekend and they turned out very tasty (http://www.lakeshorerunner.com/2014/09/23/treat-tuesday-pumpkin-oat-bar-recipe/). But mine don't have the frosting - oh am I missing out :)
    Reply
  20. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    September 24, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    I only started on the pumpkin recently so I have not burned out yet. You should definitely always prep grill cheese - it tastes so much better.
    Reply
  21. Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts says

    September 24, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    these look perfect - love!!
    Reply
  22. ellie | fit for the soul says

    September 24, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    Ohhh mama~these look divine! I can already imagine how moist they are thanks to the apple sauce+eggs, mmmm.
    Reply
  23. Nicole says

    September 25, 2014 at 6:14 am

    Oh these pumpkin spice bars look amazing. I can't wait to make them this season! -Nicole www.lungesandlace.com
    Reply
  24. Bri says

    September 25, 2014 at 8:15 am

    Oh man, I've been trying to hold off on baking pumpkin things until fall was actually here... Now that it is, and now that I have THIS recipe on my hands, I think these bars just won a spot in my kitchen as the first baking adventure of the season! Thank you Courtney, they look totally yummy, as always! :-)
    Reply
  25. Jessica @ Sweet Menu says

    September 25, 2014 at 11:31 pm

    Oh these look just lovely! Such a soft looking cake and that cream cheese frosting - yummmm!
    Reply
  26. Kaitlyn McQuin says

    October 23, 2018 at 5:07 pm

    Ohhhhhh man, oh man. I could gobble all of these right up, especially if it came with a side of vanilla bean ice cream, am I right? The more sugar, the merrier during this time of year!! - Kaitlyn | IG: @KaitlynMcQuin
    Reply
  27. Melissa says

    October 23, 2018 at 6:54 pm

    Yum! I just bought 4 cans of pumpkin that are just BEGGING to be made delicious!!
    Reply
  28. Shashaqueefa says

    October 23, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    I made pumpkin bread for our staff potluck today! But someone rolled their eyes and threw it in the back of the fridge when they saw a loaf of wonder bread with a big pumpkin smashed right on top. I think they were glutton free! #gimmealldabread
    Reply
  29. Rhonda @ Change In Seconds says

    October 24, 2018 at 6:51 pm

    Wow that looks amazing!
    Reply
  30. Alyssa Stirling says

    October 27, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    These are the only ones I ever make! I even switched out the cream cheese for a dairy-free brand and it tasted exactly the same!
    Reply

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Sweet Tooth Sweet Life
Court Profile CircleI'm Courtney, a 30-something wife and working mom living in upstate NY. I'm a food lover, fitness enthusiast, baker extraordinaire and lover of all things sweet.
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