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Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 12 reviews

These Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars are a moist, spiced dessert perfect for autumn gatherings. Featuring a warm pumpkin-flavored cake base topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting, they’re easy to make and irresistibly delicious, combining classic fall flavors with a rich texture.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pumpkin Bars

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 (8 oz) package softened cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
  • 2 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the pumpkin bars evenly.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and pumpkin puree until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender crumb.
  3. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, salt, and baking soda to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
  4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet pumpkin mixture, mixing at low speed until fully combined and smooth without overmixing to avoid toughness.
  5. Bake the Bars: Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan and spread the batter evenly inside. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
  6. Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the pumpkin bars to cool completely in the pan, which helps the frosting spread smoothly without melting.
  7. Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted confectioner’s sugar on low speed until incorporated, then stir in the vanilla extract and mix well.
  8. Frost the Bars: Once the pumpkin bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

  • For best results, use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling which contains added spices and sugar.
  • If you prefer a lighter frosting, you can reduce the amount of confectioner’s sugar slightly.
  • Bars can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • To easily cut the bars, chill them briefly after frosting to firm up the topping.
  • Adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the dry ingredients can enhance the warm spice flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bars, pumpkin dessert, cream cheese frosting, Paula Deen recipe, fall recipes, easy pumpkin bars, spiced pumpkin bars

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/paula-deen-pumpkin-bars-recipe/