Spiced Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars
Indulge in the rich, autumnal flavors of these Spiced Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars. This delightful recipe combines the warmth of cinnamon and the earthiness of pumpkin, creating a moist and tender cake that’s perfect for gatherings or as a comforting treat at home. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and a hint of fresh orange juice, these bars are sure to please everyone in the family. Share them at potlucks, enjoy them with a cup of coffee, or simply savor them on a cozy fall afternoon.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
sugar
2 cups (Granulated sugar.)
all-purpose flour
2 cups (Sifted before measuring.)
baking powder
2 teaspoons (Leavening agent.)
baking soda
1 teaspoon (Leavening agent.)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (To enhance flavor.)
ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons (For spicing.)
corn oil
3/4 cup (For moistness.)
cooked mashed pumpkin or canned pumpkin
2 cups or 1 (16 ounce) can (Use cooked or canned pumpkin.)
eggs
4 (Large eggs.)
cream cheese
3 ounces (Softened.)
margarine
6 tablespoons (Softened.)
orange juice
1 tablespoon (Freshly squeezed.)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (For flavor.)
powdered sugar
1 3/4 cups (Sifted.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10x1 inch jellyroll pan.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Mix well.
3
Add the corn oil, cooked pumpkin (or canned pumpkin), and eggs to the dry ingredients. Beat the mixture at medium speed for about 1 minute until well combined.
4
Pour the batter into the prepared jellyroll pan, spreading it evenly.
5
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
7
While the cake is cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and margarine together until light and fluffy.
8
Add the orange juice and vanilla to the mixture, stirring until combined.
9
Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, mixing until you achieve a light and fluffy texture.
10
Once the cake is completely cool, frost it generously with the cream cheese frosting.
11
Cut into 48 bars and serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spiced Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars?
Spiced Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars are moist and tender cake bars featuring autumnal flavors like cinnamon and pumpkin, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting.
How many bars does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 48 bars.
What is the required oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
What size pan should I use?
You should use a 15x10x1 inch jellyroll pan.
Can I use canned pumpkin for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either 2 cups of cooked mashed pumpkin or one 16-ounce can of pumpkin.
How long do the pumpkin bars need to bake?
Bake the bars for 20 to 25 minutes.
What are the dry ingredients for the cake?
The dry ingredients include 2 cups of sugar, 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
What type of oil is recommended for moistness?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of corn oil to ensure the bars are moist.
How many eggs are required for the batter?
You will need 4 large eggs for this recipe.
What ingredients are in the frosting?
The frosting is made from 3 ounces of cream cheese, 6 tablespoons of margarine, 1 tablespoon of orange juice, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1 3/4 cups of powdered sugar.
Do I need to cool the cake before frosting?
Yes, allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before applying the frosting.
How do I prepare the cream cheese frosting?
Beat softened cream cheese and margarine together until fluffy, stir in orange juice and vanilla, then gradually mix in powdered sugar.
Can I substitute margarine in the frosting?
While the recipe specifies margarine, softened butter is a common and suitable substitute.
What adds a hint of citrus to the frosting?
A tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice provides a subtle citrus flavor.
Should the flour be prepared in a specific way?
The all-purpose flour should be sifted before it is measured.
What spice gives these bars their warmth?
Ground cinnamon is the primary spice used to create the warm, autumnal flavor.
Is this recipe suitable for large gatherings?
Yes, these bars are perfect for potlucks and gatherings as the recipe makes 48 servings.
How long should the batter be beaten?
Beat the mixture at medium speed for about 1 minute until well combined.
What leavening agents are used in the cake?
The recipe uses both baking powder (2 teaspoons) and baking soda (1 teaspoon).
How do I prepare the pan?
Grease the 15x10x1 inch jellyroll pan before pouring in the batter.
How much powdered sugar is needed for the frosting?
The frosting requires 1 3/4 cups of sifted powdered sugar.
Is vanilla used in the cake base or the frosting?
Vanilla extract is used specifically as a flavor enhancer in the cream cheese frosting.
Is this a good recipe for the fall season?
Yes, it is described as a comforting treat perfect for a cozy fall afternoon.
How do I test if the pumpkin bars are done?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the bars are finished baking.
What should the texture of the frosting be?
The frosting should be light and fluffy.
Can fresh pumpkin be used instead of canned?
Yes, 2 cups of cooked mashed pumpkin can be used in place of a 16-ounce can.
What kind of sugar goes into the cake batter?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of granulated sugar for the cake base.
How should the cream cheese be prepared for the frosting?
The cream cheese should be softened to ensure it beats into a light and fluffy consistency.
What is a good beverage pairing for these bars?
These pumpkin bars are excellent when enjoyed with a cup of coffee.
How many bars should the cake be cut into?
The instructions recommend cutting the finished cake into 48 individual bars.