Debbie's Pumpkin Bars

Indulge in the cozy, irresistible flavors of fall with Debbie's Pumpkin Bars—your next go-to autumn dessert. These moist and tender bars are packed with the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg, balanced perfectly with the natural sweetness of pumpkin puree and a touch of unsweetened applesauce for added softness. Topped with a rich and velvety cream cheese frosting, every bite delivers a harmonious blend of sweetness and spice. Perfectly portioned into 24 servings, these easy-to-make bars come together in just 45 minutes, making them ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or a weekday treat. Enjoy the simplicity of using pantry staples for a dessert that feels upscale yet comforting. Store them in the fridge for up to five days—if they last that long!

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Canned pumpkin puree
• 0.5 cup Vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup Unsweetened applesauce
• 3 Eggs
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 8 ounces Cream cheese
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 2 cups Powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (for frosting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and well-combined.

Step 4

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 5

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.

Step 7

While the bars are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Step 8

Once the pumpkin bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.

Step 9

Cut into 24 squares and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1728.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5516.8

Total Fat 254.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 95.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 72.5g
Cholesterol 916.0mg	0%
Sodium 4315.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 779.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.8g	0%
Total Sugars 565.4g
Protein 61.1g	0%

Vitamin D 123IU	0%
Calcium 475.0mg	0%
Iron 18.2mg	0%
Potassium 1411.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.5%

Protein: 4.3%

Carbs: 55.2%