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Pumpkin! The flavor for the season! Even though I don’t really like Pumpkin Pie, I love cookies, cake, muffins and especially these Pumpkin Bars. And when you add the Cream Cheese Frosting, it puts them over the top!
The recipe comes from a friend, many moons ago, and I’ve been baking them during the holidays ever since. One of the things I love the most, not to mention they are delicious, is baking them in a bar pan. Bar cookies of any kind are easy to bake, serve, eat and give as gifts as well.
They are light, fluffy and the cream cheese frosting gives them an extra special flavor. Be prepared to share this recipe, because everyone will be asking for it!
Even though the Pumpkin Bars aren’t too sweet, I did lighten them up with Truvia Baking Blend. Over the next several months, I will be sharing recipes and tips on the new Truvia Baking Blend. I’m super excited to be part of the Honestly Sweet Baking Bloggers!
Let’s make some Pumpkin Bars…
Truvia Baking Blend is a blend of Truvia sweetener and sugar with 75% fewer calories per serving than sugar.It reduces calories but is not zero calories. The Truvia Baking Blend can be used in baked goods like cupcakes, breakfast breads, muffins, cookies, and pies or for savory dishes like barbeque sauce and salad dressings.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, oil, pumpkin and Truvia Baking Blend. I included the sugar equivalent in the recipe below, but honestly, using the Truvia Baking Blend works great and for 75% less calories…why not use it?
Whisk together the dry ingredients. I like adding ingredients into a large measuring cup, it makes adding to the wet ingredients much easier.
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until well combined. Spread the batter in a sheet pan, 15x10x1, evenly and bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes.
These are the perfect Fall treat, and always a hit for Thanksgiving Dinner. But in case you are still in need of a Halloween Treat…
After the Cream Cheese Frosting is spread onto the Pumpkin Bars, add black frosting to a Decorator Bag fitted with a #3 Tip, {you can also use a ziploc bag for this}, pipe a small dot in the middle and then 3 or 4 rings around the dot. Using a toothpick, gently pull the black frosting from the middle outward. For the spider, I just piped a large dot of frosting for the body, a smaller one for the head and legs.
A delicious Fall treat, perfect for Thanksgiving. Recipe from HoosierHomemade.com
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup plus 1/3 cup Truvia Baking Blend or 1 2/3 cups sugar
- 1 cup oil
- 1 can (15oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 (3 oz) pkg of cream cheese, softened {you can buy an 8oz pkg and cut it down if your store doesn't not carry 3 oz pkgs}
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Sift dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt & soda) and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, Truvia Baking Blend, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy.
- Add the dry ingredients, gradually. Mix well.
- Spread batter in a greased 15x10x1 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Cream together butter and cream cheese.
- Add vanilla, mix well and then gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until mixture is smooth.
- Frost bars. Cut into squares and top with Mellowcreme Pumpkin, candy corn or gummi pumpkin (optional)
Halloween Crafts, Decorating and Treats on HoosierHomemade.com
Disclosure: I am part of the Truvia Honestly Sweet Baking Bloggers. I was compensated for this post. As always, the opinions and photos are my own.
Linking to Ingredient Spotlight, Show & Tell Friday
I love Pumpkin. Can’t wait for the Trifle.
jamie creative cupcakes recently posted..Creative Birthday Cupcakes and Recipes to Make Everyone Smile
YUM! I made a similar recipe a few weeks ago that I still need to post.
I love pumpkin bars, because they are just slightly denser than cupcakes. Somewhere between cake and muffin {at least mine were}. It is a nice change from the lightness of cupcakes.
Stephanie @ The Brunette Foodie recently posted..Sauteed Fall Veggies
I love pumpkin cake, I’ll have to try this recipe! As always, your desserts look scrumptious!
Alison recently posted..Help Me Win the Sears KitchenAid Rescue My Appliances Contest!
You said the two magic words for me… pumpkin and cream cheese.
YUM!
Oh YUM!!! These look fantastic. Did you know that the pumpkin muffins you made are really good with cream cheese as well?
Tammy @ Not Just Paper and Glue recently posted..Tool Time Tammy
Sounds good Tammy…did you make them with frosting?
~Liz
No, when we got ready to eat them, we split them and put spreadable cream cheese in the middle. Really yummy
Tammy @ Not Just Paper and Glue recently posted..Tool Time Tammy
I LOVE pumpkin bars! As I start to plan our Thanksgiving menu, I’m adding these. Have a great day!!
Kim @ Quit Eating Out recently posted..Welcome Apple Crisp
That recipe looks awesome! I have a pumpkin bar recipe but no frosting. I MUST try your recipe~
I’m a fan. I love pumpkin bars! Your’s look fab.
naomi recently posted..Salted Peanut No-Bake Cheesecake
I can’t wait to make this recipe for my bible study group on Sunday! I printed it out and was checking the ingredient list. It says 1 (3 oz) package cream cheese. Does it mean 8 oz package? Thanks!
Hi Jen, you can buy an 8oz package and then cut it. The recipe only requires 3 oz, it does not have to be measured perfectly, if it’s a little over or under…that’s fine.
Let me know if you have other questions. Thanks much!
~Liz
I just recently made little pumpkin muffins with my pumpkin bread recipe, but I hadn’t thought about doing pumpkin bars. Great idea, will be trying these soon!
Kristy @momhatescooking recently posted..Garlic Chicken Lasagna
Those look adorable and nummy!! The boys will have a blast making these this weekend with me
Your pumpkin bar recipe looks fabulous. I think they will be on my dessert menu for Thanksgiving as well.
Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook
These look good. I have always made Pumpkin Bread but I love cream cheese frosting so will give these a try. I may have to add some good chopped Texas pecans to them though!
Love pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting. Oh, it is way too late to be reading nummy things like this. If only you lived next door and could run me over one!
Jacqueline recently posted..Pumpkin Truffles
Oh, lordy does that look delish. Thanks for the recipe!!
MessyMissy recently posted..Paper Twist Thanksgiving Craft
Wow. I love anything pumpkin and these look amazing!! Thanks so much for the recipe – I can’t wait to try them out.
Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com recently posted..Crush of the Week and More
These look so good, and I’m reminded that I have a big bag of candy corn and pumpkins in the cabinet, justbegging to be used. This would be the perfect venue.
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida recently posted..FOODIE FRIDAY- South Pole Cookies
yum, these look great!
Jamielyn recently posted..Crazy Christmas Crafter Link Up w- Whipper Berry Giveaway!
Oh my! These are a must. Yumm yummm yummmmyyy!
Jami recently posted..Happy Thoughts
I love pumpkin! I don’t think I could ever get tired of it….yum!
Pumpkin bars are one of my absolute favorite fall treats! Yum!
Kristen recently posted..Quaker Chewy After School Rocks Giveaway
What a great idea. I am posting thanksgiving recipes all the way up to thanksgiving.
Here are all my thanksgiving recipes: http://delishhh.com/?cat=219
I will be back to check your out.
Delishhh recently posted..Butternut Squash Purée with Orange- Ginger- and Honey
These look great!
I am your newest follower.
These “bars” were delicious. I did alter the recipe just a bit. I used less oil and substituted it with apple sauce just to make it feel a little bit healty! I also added ground clove, used one small can of pumpkin puree and only 3 jumbo eggs. All in all I would say these will be made more than just for the holidays! Thanks for sharing
These pumpkin bars looks delicious and festive. I just came from the Gooseberry Patch. Have a wonderful afternoon. Please do stop by soon. Blessings, Catherine
Catherine recently posted..Living the Gourmet Proudly Presents: Clearwater Hampers
mmm, I love SOFT goodies, and, almost anything PUMPKIN, so, these will go on my to-do list!
Thanks for another great project/recipe!!!!
I wanna come be your helper! LOL
I could use a helper