Decadent Pumpkin Cream Chess Bars
Indulge in the ultimate fall treat with these Decadent Pumpkin Cream Chess Bars. This delightful recipe blends the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin with a rich, creamy filling and a soft, cake crust. Made with simple ingredients, each bite offers a perfect balance of sweetness and gooeyness that is sure to impress your family and friends. Perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or as a cozy dessert to enjoy by the fireplace, these bars are an irresistible addition to your autumn repertoire.
24
Servings
160
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (divided, melted)
spice cake mix or yellow cake mix
1 (18 1/4 ounce) package
large eggs
4
cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (softened)
solid pack pumpkin
1 (15 ounce) can
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons
powdered sugar
1 (16 ounce) box
pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and adjust the oven rack to the center. Prepare a 13x9 inch baking pan by spraying the bottom with cooking spray.
2
In a small saucepan, melt ½ cup of butter over low heat until fully liquefied.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat until the ingredients form a thick, cohesive dough.
4
Spread the dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan, pressing it down gently to form a base. Set it aside.
5
In another saucepan, melt the remaining ½ cup of butter over low heat.
6
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and the canned pumpkin. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
7
Add the melted butter, remaining 3 eggs, and vanilla extract to the pumpkin mixture. Blend thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
8
Sift in the powdered sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Continue to mix on medium speed until the batter is silky and uniform.
9
Pour the pumpkin mixture over the prepared crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 42-45 minutes, until the center is still slightly gooey but set (be careful not to overbake).
11
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
12
Once cooled, cut the bars into squares or rectangles, and store them in the refrigerator, covered to maintain freshness.
Nutrition Information
9.3g
Fat
18.3g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Pumpkin Cream Chess Bars?
These bars are a fall dessert featuring spiced pumpkin flavors, a creamy filling, and a soft cake crust.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 24 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking pan should be used?
A 13x9 inch baking pan is required for this recipe.
How do I prepare the baking pan?
Prepare the pan by spraying the bottom with cooking spray.
What kind of cake mix can I use for the crust?
You can use either a spice cake mix or a yellow cake mix.
How much butter is needed in total?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, which is divided and melted.
How many eggs are required for the entire recipe?
A total of 4 large eggs are used: 1 for the crust and 3 for the filling.
Does the cream cheese need to be softened?
Yes, the 8-ounce package of cream cheese should be softened before blending.
What type of pumpkin is used?
Use one 15-ounce can of solid pack pumpkin.
How much vanilla extract is included?
The recipe includes 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
How much powdered sugar is used in the filling?
One 16-ounce box of powdered sugar is added to the filling mixture.
How much pumpkin pie spice should I add?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice.
How do I make the crust base?
Combine the cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 1 egg with an electric mixer until a thick dough forms, then press it into the pan.
What speed should I use on my mixer?
Use medium speed for both the dough and the pumpkin filling.
Should the powdered sugar be sifted?
Yes, sift in the powdered sugar and pumpkin pie spice for a silky and uniform batter.
How long do the bars bake?
Bake the bars for 42 to 45 minutes.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The center should still be slightly gooey but set; be careful not to overbake.
What is the cooling process?
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
How should these bars be stored?
Store the bars in the refrigerator, covered to maintain freshness.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 160 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 9.3 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each bar?
Each bar has 18.3 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in a single bar?
Each serving contains 1.5 grams of protein.
Where should I position the oven rack?
Adjust the oven rack to the center position for baking.
What occasions are these bars suitable for?
They are perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or as a cozy autumn dessert.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
There are 8 main ingredients used in this recipe.
What should the texture of the filling be before baking?
The filling should be blended until smooth, silky, and uniform.
What is the primary method for melting the butter?
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat until fully liquefied.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include pumpkin, dessert, bars, fall, autumn, chess squares, and cream cheese.