Pumpkin Bars + Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

These pumpkin bars are a family favorite! My mom has been making them for as long as I can remember. I honestly can’t think of fall and not crave these bars! The key to this recipe is not to over-bake the bars. When baked correctly they are insanely light and moist. As if the bars weren’t amazing enough on their own, they are topped with vanilla bean cream cheese frosting. I’m not a big frosting person (yes, I was that weird kid that flipped my birthday cake upside down and left only the frosting on the plate) but this frosting just works for me. I could eat with a spoon right out of the bowl. I suggest you do the same!

I hope you enjoy these pumpkin bars as much as my family does.

pumpkin bars

ingredients:

2 cups sugar

2 cups all purpose flour

4 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

2 cups canned pumpkin purée

directions:

Preheat oven to 350°

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.

Pour mixture into a greased (or parchment paper lined) 12 x 18 jelly roll pan.

Bake for 15-25 minutes, or until a toothpick can be inserted and removed clean. I cannot stress enough how important it is to not over-bake these bars! I usually check them at the 15 minute mark and then insert a toothpick in 2-5 minute increments moving forward.

Once cooled, I recommend frosting this amazing pan of fall goodness with vanilla bean cream cheese frosting!

vanilla bean + cream cheese frosting

ingredients:

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

2/3 cup butter, softened (earth balance soy free buttery sticks also work great!)

3 cups powdered sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 vanilla bean - seeds removed from the pod

directions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and powdered sugar. Beat on high until combined.

Add cream cheese, vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds. Continue to beat on high until combined and a light fluffy texture has been achieved.

Spread evenly over cooled pumpkin bars. Go ahead, lick that spatula!