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Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars

Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars
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Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars combine moist pumpkin spice cake layers with a rich and tangy cream cheese frosting, creating a comforting autumn dessert that is easy to bake and perfect for fall gatherings or holiday treats. With warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and a luscious creamy topping, these bars deliver the perfect balance of moist texture and sweet flavor everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (pure pumpkin, not pie filling)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Pan: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This ensures your bars come out perfectly clean and easy to slice.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Setting these spices and leaveners aside ensures even distribution and consistent flavor throughout.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and vegetable oil until smooth. Stir in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract, creating a luscious wet base for the bars.
  4. Blend Wet and Dry Components: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender and moist.
  5. Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
  6. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy and spreadable.
  7. Frost and Serve: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Cut into squares and enjoy the creamy, spiced pumpkin goodness any time you like!

Notes

  • Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control sugar and spice levels.
  • Bring eggs, butter, and cream cheese to room temperature for smoother mixing.
  • Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender and moist texture.
  • Begin checking the bars around 25 minutes to prevent overbaking.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting or pooling of frosting.
  • For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • For dairy-free version, replace cream cheese and butter with suitable dairy-free alternatives.
  • Freeze individually wrapped bars in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Pumpkin bars, pumpkin dessert, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, autumn treats, Paula Deen pumpkin bars

Find it online: https://dishesbylina.com/paula-deens-pumpkin-bars/