Pumpkin Bars

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The moist Pumpkin Bars with a sweet butter pecan frosting are the perfect holiday treat. Large pan of pumpkin bars topped with a creamy butter pecan frosting that will impress your family and friends!

Love Pumpkin recipes? Be sure to give my Pumpkin Roll a try or bake a loaf of Pumpkin bread today! Or start your day with a delicious batch of Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls.

Pumpkin bar with cream cheese frosting on a plate with a bite taken out.
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Pumpkin Bars

Have you ever bitten into an unflavored pumpkin dessert? I’ve done that. It’s not good. It’s boring and bland. In short, I do not recommend it.

The thing about pumpkin is that it’s not that exciting to eat all on its own. It’s all about what you put it with! Just like you need to adequately season meat…you also need to adequately season pumpkin desserts.

The first step to creating a pumpkin bar that makes you want MORE is using the right spices. In this recipe, I used a healthy amount of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in the bars themselves.

Yes, they smelled pretty incredible while they were baking.

But I couldn’t stop there. You know how I feel about unfrosted bars: why have a dessert bar that tastes good when you can have one that tastes amazing?

I knew what had to be done. Frosting. Frosting is never a bad idea.

Instead of staying safe and using a simple vanilla icing or cream cheese frosting, I chose Butter Pecan Frosting for my pumpkin bars.

Butter Pecan is one of my favorite ice cream flavors, so it seemed only fitting that as we say goodbye to summer, we make the transition smooth by paying homage to all those pints of butter pecan I enjoyed throughout the season.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients to make pumpkin bars.
  • Pumpkin puree- you want the canned pumpkin (100% pure pumpking), not the pumpkin pie filling that has spices in it.
  • Dry ingredients- all-purpose flour, sugar (brown and granulated), spices (you can use our pumpkin pie spice mix if you prefer), baking soda AND baking powder.
  • Wet ingredients- butter, eggs
  • Frosting- we use powdered sugar, milk, and toasted pecans! You could also swap it out for a traditional cream cheese frosting if you prefer.
Step by step photos showing how to make pumpkin bars.

How to Make Pumpkin Bars

  • See the recipe card below for tips and tricks.
  • Combine the wet ingredients with dry ingredients and pour into a prepared 15x10x1-inch baking dish.
  • Bake until done (a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few crumbs).
  • Frost. Using our delicious butter pecan frosting, spread over cooled bars.
Step by step photos showing how to make frosting for pumpkin bars.

How to Freeze Pumpkin Bars

Cut the bars into individual portions before freezing and place them into an airtight freezer safe container (like tupperware).

When you’re ready to serve the bars again, take them out of the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator. They’ll be ready to eat again within a few hours at most.

The frosting stays perfectly set, and the bars remain moist even after freezing and thawing. How easy is that? A couple dozen pumpkin bars are a great idea to keep on hand in the freezer for unexpected guests over the holidays!

Pumpkin bar being lifted out of pan with a spatula.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these with cream cheese frosting instead?

Yes absolutely. Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are amazing. Use my favorite frosting recipe that’s included in my banana cake recipe.

Can I replace the spices with pumpkin pie spice instead?

Sure! For these pumpkin bars, substitute the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for 2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.

Delicious, moist Pumpkin Bars topped with a sweet Butter Pecan frosting! The only pumpkin dessert recipe you need! #thinkfisher

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Pumpkin Bars

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By: Aimee
The most perfect Pumpkin Bars with a sweet Butter Pecan Frosting. These frosted pumpkin bars will seriously make you swoon! Share a pan with friends and family this holiday season!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 24 bars

Ingredients 

FOR THE BARS:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 can pumpkin puree 15 ounce
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

FOR THE FROSTING:

  • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ½ cup plus 2 Tbsp unsalted butter softened (divided)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • 24 pecan halves
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Instructions 

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin and melted butter until smooth. Add remaining ingredients for the pumpkin bars and beat for 2-3 minutes until fully combined.
  • Pour batter into a lightly greased 15x10x1inch baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.
  • Remove and cool completely before frosting.
  • For the frosting, combined brown sugar, 2 Tbsp butter and milk in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool completely.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter with powdered sugar. Pour in COOLED brown sugar mixture. Beat for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Fold in chopped pecans.
  • Spread over cooled pumpkin bars. Press pecan halves gently into top of bars. Cut and store in airtight container in refrigerator.  Or, freeze until ready to use.

Notes

  • Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Due to the high sugar content and nature of the frosting, I highly recommend refrigerating pumpkin bars after baking and frosting them.
  • Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are amazing. Use my favorite frosting recipe that’s included in my banana cake recipe.
  • For these pumpkin bars, substitute the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for 2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 253kcal, Carbohydrates: 43g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 44mg, Sodium: 109mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 34g
Course: Brownies and Bars
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

As a fall treat or holiday dessert, you can’t beat a flavorful batch of Butter Pecan Frosted Pumpkin Bars! Topped with a butter pecan frosting and bursting with seasonal spices, these just might be the best pumpkin bars you ever make.

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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

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Posted on November 6, 2023

Comments & Reviews

  1. These look so delicious with that thick layer of butter pecan frosting over the top! These bars are serious perfection. 🙂

  2. Aah Aimee
    Another winnwe for sure – the pecan frosting will be like eating ice cream without the shivers – after all it’s fall here in New England – Thank you
    Denise

  3. There is never such a thing as too many pumpkin recipes, so keep on making those fabulous treats Aimee!! If only we could make exclusively pumpkin recipes during the fall and winter… I think that’d be pure baking bliss! 😉 Already pinned!

  4. Butter Pecan Frosting sounds absolutely divine! Love all the flavors you managed to pack in these bars:)

  5. Love pumpkin bars/cake, or really, pumpkin anything 🙂 And that frosting!!! YES!! I want extra 🙂 Pinned!

  6. These look amazing! And I love that you tested them for freezer friendliness. So sweet of you. 🙂
    Pinned.
    Enjoy the beautiful weekend!

    1. It’s probably one of the number one questions I get via email…can I freeze this!?! So, I figured I would test it out. And, I love that they stayed so moist and flavorful. Thanks for the pin Melanie!!

  7. I will eat anything pumpkin but then you add in this butter pecan frosting {which is genius} and basically this dessert becomes irresistible. Awesome recipes Aimee!

  8. Wow the fact that you can freeze these is a plus! Definitely something that can be made ahead of time! Bring on the pumpkin!

  9. These pumpkin bars look incredible, Aimee! And that frosting, I could eat that with a spoon. I really like the fact that they can be frozen and thawed for later use. Perfect for planning ahead when you’re having a get together.

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