Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars
Sweet, swirly, and packed with cozy fall flavors these pumpkin cream cheese bars are a dream come true! With their soft, spiced base and tangy cream cheese topping, they’re the kind of treat you’ll crave all season long.
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Pumpkin Base:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
Optional Toppings:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Caramel drizzle
- Crushed pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a small bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- In a larger bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Add the dry mix to the wet and stir until just combined.
- Pour the pumpkin batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture on top. Use a butter knife to gently swirl it into the pumpkin layer — don’t overdo it, we want pretty swirls!
- Bake for 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
Let your cream cheese come to room temp so it blends smoothly. Don’t overmix your pumpkin batter or it can get dense. Chill before slicing for neat, sharp edges!