Pumpkin Bars

There’s something comforting about simple and seasonal desserts that come together in a jiffy! These delicious pumpkin bars are as soft as pillows and heavenly to taste. Better yet: they’re simple to make, which means you can easily make a second batch for your office friends or a neighbor.

A slice of pumpkin cheesecake on a black and white plate with a fork, and a cup of black coffee on a wooden table.

How to make these your own

The cream cheese frosting provided is simplicity itself, but not everyone loves cream cheese. You can easily use your favorite buttercream, or go crazy and try out some other flavored frostings.

For plant-based cream cheese, I usually like either Oatly or Miyokos cream cheese.

Lid of Miyoko's Creamery plant-based cream cheese container, stating it is organic, plain, and has 3 grams of protein per serving.

This recipe calls for cinnamon, allspice, and coves but you can certainly make the flavor more complex if you so desire. Add in a pinch of ground allspice, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon for the full ‘pumpkin spice’, or create your own spice blend!

These bars are almost begging to be decorated with candy corns, festive Halloween sprinkles, or whatever else you have on hand. Have fun!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil

  • 1 cup sugar (can substitute with 3/4 cup agave syrup or maple syrup)

  • 1 cup pureed pumpkin

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves

  • 1/2 tsp all spice

  • 2 tbsp flax seeds, mixed with 2 tbsp water (as an egg substitute)

  • 4 oz. plant-based cream cheese, room temperature

  • 1/4 cup plant-based butter, softened

  • 1 1/3 cup powdered sugar

  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9 x 13 pan with butter and set aside while you compile the ingredients.

Start by mixing your oil and sugar. Add in the pumpkin and stir until everything is fully incorporated. The mixture will look slightly lumpy. Next, add in the flour and the baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix the flax seeds with the two tbsp of water and add into the mixture.

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Pureed Pumpkin mixed with sugar
Pureed pumpkin mixed with flour and spices
Flax seed mixed with water
Pumpkin bar mixture

Spread the mixture in the prepared 9 x 13 pan, making sure the mixture is even. Place in the oven and bake for 30 - 35 minutes, or until everything is cooked and the edges are just browning slightly. Let cool completely.

A baking tray filled with bright orange pumpkin batter spread evenly.
A freshly baked loaf of banana bread in a clear glass baking dish on a wooden surface.

Next, make your frosting. I highly recommend using either a stand mixer or a handheld mixer for this. You can do this by hand, but….ouch!

Place the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract in the mixer or in a stable bowl. Mix everything on medium speed until it becomes the consistency of a thick but smooth frosting.

Flour, butter, and a small amount of water or milk in a metal mixing bowl
Close-up of a mixing bowl with creamy butter or frosting, partially whipped, with a spatula inside.
A person spreading cream cheese onto a freshly baked rectangular cake in a glass baking dish.
Unbaked cake with white frosting in a rectangular glass baking dish on a wooden surface.

Spread all over the pumpkin bars and enjoy!

A black mug filled with black coffee next to a plate with a slice of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting on a wooden table.