Penzey's Pumpkin Bars with Brown Butter Icing

Indulge in the warm, spiced decadence of Penzey's Pumpkin Bars with Brown Butter Icing—a fall-inspired dessert that combines moist, perfectly spiced pumpkin cake with the nutty richness of brown butter icing. These pumpkin bars come together effortlessly with a blend of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, paired with the natural sweetness of pumpkin puree, making every bite a celebration of autumn flavors. Finished with a luscious layer of velvety brown butter icing, these bars are irresistibly luxurious while remaining easy to prepare. Perfect for gatherings, holidays, or a cozy dessert at home, this recipe yields 16 bars and is ready in just 45 minutes. Ideal for casual snacking or elegant dessert spreads, these pumpkin bars are sure to become a seasonal favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 46/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Vegetable oil
• 1 cup Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 4 large Eggs
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter
• 2 cups Powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons Milk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (for icing)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and vegetable oil. Whisk until smooth and slightly creamy.

Step 4

Add the pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture. Whisk until fully combined.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Pour the batter into the prepared 9x13-inch pan, spreading it into an even layer.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean.

Step 8

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the pumpkin bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 9

While the bars are cooling, prepare the brown butter icing. In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the butter turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Be careful not to burn it.

Step 10

Remove the brown butter from the heat and transfer it to a medium mixing bowl. Let it cool for a few minutes.

Step 11

Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to the brown butter. Whisk until smooth and creamy. If the icing is too thick, add a small amount of milk, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 12

Once the pumpkin bars have cooled completely, spread the brown butter icing evenly over the top using an offset spatula for a smooth finish.

Step 13

Cut the frosted bars into 16 squares or rectangles and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1585.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5628.9

Total Fat 280.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 134.4g
Cholesterol 872.0mg	0%
Sodium 3667.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 761.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.7g	0%
Total Sugars 547.9g
Protein 55.8g	0%

Vitamin D 183.5IU	0%
Calcium 345.7mg	0%
Iron 18.2mg	0%
Potassium 1680.6mg	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: 43.5%

Protein: 3.9%

Carbs: 52.6%