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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Course / Dessert / Cake / Small Batch Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Small Batch Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 9/15/21Updated: 1/20/23

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

pan of pumpkin bars

Small Batch Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect way to welcome fall. They are soft and tender with a creamy frosting. They are a classic fall treat and the perfect amount for 2-4 people.

plate of pumpkin bars with one missing

One sure way to know fall is on the way is when all the pumpkin spice treats start appearing in stores and on the internet. When that pumpkin craving hits these small batch pumpkin bars are the perfect way to satisfy it. I have taken my full size pumpkin bar recipe which makes ALOT and reduced it down to feed 2-4 people.

pan of sliced pumpkin bars

How To Make Pumpkin Pie Spice

If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice you can make your own using cloves, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon. Use 3/4 tsp of this mixture for this recipe and save the rest for later.

  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/8 tsp allspice

How to Make Pumpkin Bars

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Combine egg, sugar, oil and pumpkin puree in a bowl.
  • Add in dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice and additional cinnamon.
adding cinnamon to pumpkin bar batter
  • Stir just until combined.
  • Pour batter into a lightly greased 9 x 7 inch baking pan and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
pouring pumpkin bar batter into pan

While bars are baking make cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Combine softened cream cheese with softened butter.
  • Add in milk, vanilla and powdered sugar.
adding powdered sugar to frosting
  • Stir until combined and smooth.
  • Frost cooled pumpkin bars.
  • Sprinkle with chopped nuts if desired.
frosting pumpkin bars

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?

You can make your own using the recipe above in the post. It is just a combination of cloves, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon. Use 3/4 tsp of this mixture for this recipe and save the rest for later.

Do I need to refrigerate leftover pumpkin bars?

Because of the cream cheese frosting you should refrigerate any leftover bars.

Pumpkin Bars Tips

  • I use a mild flavored oil such as canola or vegetable oil.
  • If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice use the recipe above to make your own.
  • This recipe uses pureed pumpkin which is different than pumpkin pie filling.
  • Stir the ingredients just until combined. Overstirring makes for tough pumpkin bars.
  • With small batch recipes it is important to measure accurately.
  • I used a 9 x 7″ baking pan but you could also use an 8 x 8 ” pan.
  • Use room temperature, softened cream cheese to avoid lumps in your frosting.
sliced pumpkin bars on a white plate.

For other pumpkin dessert recipes try these:

  • Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
  • Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cake
  • Full Size Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Pumpkin Pie Cake
  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

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5 from 6 votes
plate of pumpkin bars with one missing

Small Batch Pumpkin Bars for Two

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Small Batch Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect way to welcome fall. They are a classic fall treat and the perfect amount for 2-4 people.
serves: 6 servings
Prep:10 minutes
Cook:25 minutes
Total:35 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 2 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 3 Tbsp butter softened
  • 1 tsp milk
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped nuts walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Mix together egg, sugar, oil, and pumpkin. Stir to combine.
  • Add in flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon.
  • Stir just until dry ingredients disappear.
  • Pour into a greased 9 x 7 inch baking pan
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool completely

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Combine cream cheese and butter together.
  • Add in milk, vanilla and powdered sugar.
  • Stir until smooth.
  • Frost cooled cake
  • Top with chopped walnuts or pecans if desired.

Tips & Notes:

  • Stir batter just until combined. Over stirring, especially in small batch recipes creates a tough crumb.
  • If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can make your own with the recipe above in the post.
  • Be sure cake is totally cool before frosting.
  • Keep leftover cake refrigerated because of the cream cheese frosting.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 397kcal (20%) Carbohydrates: 48g (16%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 22g (34%) Saturated Fat: 7g (44%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g Monounsaturated Fat: 9g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 53mg (18%) Sodium: 233mg (10%) Potassium: 137mg (4%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 37g (41%) Vitamin A: 3522IU (70%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 45mg (5%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
plate of pumpkin bars with one missing
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  1. Sandy Porrello says

    Posted on 9/14 at 4:06 pm

    Delicious. It’s a keeper.

    Reply
  2. Fran Lehman says

    Posted on 10/4 at 12:01 pm

    Sounds great and I’m going in right now and making some

    Reply
  3. Cindy says

    Posted on 9/15 at 7:29 pm

    These look wonderful! I inherited a 9×7 pan from my mom and there are just dear hubby and I now so I would love to have more recipes this size. Especially a banana nut sheet cake/bar recipe!

    Reply

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