Quick & Easy Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars Recipe – Fall’s Sweet Treat

Paula Deen’s pumpkin bars bring warmth and comfort to any autumn gathering, transforming simple ingredients into a spectacular sweet treat.

Soft, moist, and wonderfully spiced, these bars capture the essence of seasonal baking with their rich, velvety texture.

Home bakers adore this straightforward recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

The harmonious blend of classic spices creates a nostalgic experience that feels both familiar and exciting.

Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious layer of decadence, elevating these bars from ordinary to extraordinary.

Smooth and tender, each bite promises a delightful balance of sweetness and subtle warmth.

Baking these bars will fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that beckons family and friends: come savor the season’s most delectable dessert.

What Makes Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars a Fall Favorite

• Effortless Autumn Delight: These pumpkin bars capture the essence of fall with minimal kitchen effort, delivering a warm, comforting treat that anyone can master in just over an hour.
• Texture Wonderland: Expect a perfectly moist, tender bar with a silky cream cheese frosting that creates a dreamy contrast between the soft cake-like base and the rich, creamy topping.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with classic fall spices like cinnamon and the deep, earthy sweetness of pumpkin, these bars offer a harmonious blend of warm, nostalgic flavors that dance on your taste buds and evoke cozy memories of seasonal gatherings.

What You Need for Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars

• Eggs: Key binding agent that helps hold the bars together.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with texture and browning.
• Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, tender texture.
• Pumpkin: Brings rich autumn flavor and natural moistness to the bars.

• Flour: Provides structure and gives the bars their basic form.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the bars rise and become light.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements the pumpkin flavor perfectly.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a rich, creamy base for the frosting.
• Confectioner's Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create smooth frosting consistency.
• Vanilla: Provides a classic, sweet flavor that rounds out the frosting.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars

Step 1: Prepare Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking pan.

Step 2: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Pumpkin puree

Mix until the texture becomes light and airy.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt
• Baking soda

Step 4: Create Batter

Gently fold dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture. Stir until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Bake Bars

Pour batter into the greased pan. Spread evenly and bake for 30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool Down

Let the bars rest in the pan until completely cooled.

Step 7: Whip Up Frosting

• Cream cheese, softened
• Butter, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Mix until silky and spreadable.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Generously spread frosting over cooled bars. Slice into squares and enjoy your delicious pumpkin treat!

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars

• Slice with Dental Floss: Cut perfect bars using unwaxed dental floss, gliding it smoothly for clean, precise edges without crumbling the delicate pumpkin base.
• Refrigerate for Flavor Depth: Storing bars overnight in the refrigerator intensifies the spice blend and allows cream cheese frosting to develop richer, more complex flavors.
• Prevent Frosting Sliding: Pat the cooled bars dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring the cream cheese frosting adheres smoothly without separating.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger quantities to match your personal taste preferences, creating a signature pumpkin bar experience.
• Use Parchment Paper Trick: Line the baking pan with parchment paper, letting edges hang over, which makes lifting and transferring the entire batch effortless and mess-free.

How to Keep Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars Fresh

Freeze Smartly: Protect your Pumpkin Bars by wrapping each bar individually in plastic wrap, then stacking them in a freezer-safe container. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum flavor for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture and taste.

Refrigerate Strategically: Transfer cooled bars to an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Layer bars between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their delicate cream cheese frosting. Keep chilled and enjoy within 4-5 days for peak freshness.

Counter Storage Quick Tip: If serving within 24 hours, store uncovered at room temperature in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel to keep dust and insects at bay. Consume within a day for optimal flavor.

Delicious Variations on Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars

• Autumn Spice Bars: Replace cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice and add a pinch of nutmeg for deeper seasonal warmth.
• Nutty Pumpkin Squares: Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter before baking for extra crunch and rich flavor.
• Cream Cheese Swirl Bars: Create a cream cheese ribbon by dropping spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture onto the batter before baking and gently swirling with a knife.
• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Treat: Sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips throughout the batter for a decadent chocolate-pumpkin combination.

Final Words on Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin bars epitomize autumn’s culinary magic, blending warm spices with creamy textures that dance across palates.

Paula Deen’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into a celebration of seasonal comfort.

Cinnamon-infused layers mingle with cream cheese frosting, creating an irresistible harmony of flavors.

Baking these bars fills kitchens with nostalgic aromas that whisper memories of family gatherings.

Home bakers discover pure joy in each delectable square, connecting generations through a cherished recipe.

Discover your baking passion – share this recipe, spread deliciousness, and spark conversations that warm hearts like these incredible pumpkin bars.

Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars blend autumn’s warmest spices with creamy pumpkin perfection. Cream cheese frosting crowns these irresistible treat squares that invite you to savor seasonal comfort in each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 1 ⅔ cups (400 ml) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can pumpkin
• 2 cups (240 grams) sifted all-purpose flour

Spices and Leavening Agents:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounces/225 grams) package softened cream cheese
• ½ cup (115 grams) softened butter
• 2 cups (240 grams) sifted confectioner’s sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by adjusting the temperature to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an even heating space for optimal baking results.
2. Utilize an electric mixer to blend eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and canned pumpkin puree until the mixture achieves a light, airy consistency with a uniform texture.
3. In a separate mixing vessel, carefully whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and baking soda until the dry ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
4. Gently incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the pumpkin blend, using low-speed mixing to create a smooth, homogeneous batter without overmixing.
5. Transfer the prepared batter into a thoroughly greased 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeter) rectangular baking pan, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, monitoring the progress by inserting a clean toothpick into the center – it should emerge without any raw batter clinging to it.
7. Remove from the oven and allow the pumpkin bars to cool completely within the baking pan, maintaining their structural integrity and preventing premature cutting.
8. Prepare the cream cheese frosting by combining softened cream cheese and unsalted butter in a medium mixing bowl, using an electric mixer to create a smooth, lump-free base.
9. Gradually introduce confectioner’s sugar to the cream cheese mixture, blending at low speed to prevent sugar clouds and ensure a consistent texture.
10. Fold in pure vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to distribute the flavor evenly throughout the frosting.
11. Once the pumpkin bars have reached room temperature, generously spread the prepared cream cheese frosting across the entire surface using a spatula.
12. Allow the frosted bars to set for a few minutes, then carefully slice into square portions using a sharp knife for serving.

Notes

• Achieve Silky Smoothness: Warm ingredients like eggs, cream cheese, and butter to room temperature for effortless blending and dreamy texture.
• Prevent Lumpy Disasters: Sifting flour, baking powder, and powdered sugar ensures a light, airy base with perfectly smooth frosting.
• Master Gentle Mixing: Combine dry and wet ingredients minimally to keep the bars tender and avoid dense, tough results.
• Patience Pays Off: Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain a pristine, professional look.
• Slice Like a Pro: Refrigerate frosted bars briefly to set the topping and create clean, picture-perfect cuts every time.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 327
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 209.6 mg
• Fat: 18.1 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40.2 g
• Fiber: 0.9 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 53.7 mg