Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar Frosting are the perfect fall crowd pleasing treat! Spiced thick & soft pumpkin bars and a thick layer of brown sugar frosting will have everyone begging for seconds.
Course
Dessert
Cuisine
American
Prep Time:15minutes
Cook Time:40minutes
Total Time:55minutes
Yields:9large or 16 small bars
Recipe byTessa Arias
Ingredients
For the bars:
1 1/2cups(6.75 ounces) all-purpose flour
1teaspoonground cinnamon
1/4teaspoonground ginger
1/4teaspoonground nutmeg
1/4teaspoonbaking soda
1/4teaspoonsalt
1stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
2/3cuppacked light brown sugar
1large egg
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1cup(7.5 ounces) pumpkin puree
For the frosting:
1stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4cuplight brown sugar, packed
1/2teaspoonground cinnamon
1/8teaspoonsalt
1 1/2cupspowdered sugar, sifted
1/2teaspoonvanilla extract
1tablespoonmilk, plus more if needed
Directions
To make the bars:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 8 by 8-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
In a large bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
In another medium bowl whisk together the butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and pumpkin. Add the butter mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light, fluffy, and smooth. Add in the cinnamon and salt. On low speed gradually add in the powered sugar until incorporated. Add in the vanilla and milk and increase the speed to medium-high. Beat until very light and fluffy. If too runny, add more powered sugar, If too thick, add more milk. Spread evenly all over the pumpkin bars.
Cut into squares before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the fridge for up to 5 days.