The Best Moist & Easy Libby’s Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting – Your Go-To Fall Dessert!

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of pumpkin spice filling your kitchen as the seasons change. These delightful Pumpkin Bars are the epitome of fall baking: incredibly moist, bursting with rich pumpkin flavor, and crowned with a luscious, silky smooth cream cheese frosting that will leave you craving more. This isn’t just an easy recipe; it’s a timeless classic that brings comfort and joy with every bite, making it perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy afternoon treat.

As soon as the crisp air hints at autumn, my mind — and my pantry — turn to pumpkin. Even if August hasn’t quite relinquished its summer grip, I’m already eager to dive into my favorite pumpkin recipes. My Pumpkin Coffee Cake, for instance, is an absolute standout. My husband, who usually isn’t the biggest fan of pumpkin desserts, raved about it! We also love to infuse our breakfast routines with pumpkin goodness, enjoying our fluffy Buttermilk Pumpkin Waffles and decadent Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes. But when it comes to a crowd-pleasing, easy-to-share dessert, these Pumpkin Bars take center stage every single time. Their soft, cake-like texture paired with the tangy-sweet frosting is simply irresistible.

Why This Pumpkin Bar Recipe is an Absolute Winner

This recipe isn’t just another pumpkin dessert; it’s designed for success and maximum enjoyment. Here’s why these Libby’s Pumpkin Bars will quickly become a cherished part of your fall baking tradition:

• Silky Smooth Cream Cheese Frosting: The crowning glory of these delicious pumpkin bars is undeniably the frosting. We achieve that incredibly smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture by ensuring our cream cheese is properly softened to room temperature and by meticulously sifting the powdered sugar. These two simple steps eliminate lumps, resulting in a frosting that spreads beautifully and complements the rich pumpkin flavor perfectly. It’s truly what elevates these bars from good to absolutely phenomenal!
• Effortlessly Easy Pumpkin Bars: Don’t let the gourmet taste fool you; this Libby’s Pumpkin Bars recipe is surprisingly simple to whip up. With just about 10 minutes of prep time and 25-30 minutes in the oven, you can have a batch of these autumnal delights ready in under an hour. It’s a fuss-free dessert that’s perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings. Easy peasy, pumpkin squeezy!
• Packed with Rich, Authentic Pumpkin Flavor: We don’t skimp on the star ingredient here! This recipe calls for an entire 29 oz can of Libby’s pumpkin puree. This generous amount ensures a deep, prominent pumpkin flavor that shines through, perfectly balanced by a thoughtful blend of warming spices. You won’t find a watery or subtly flavored pumpkin bar here; expect a robust, authentic taste of fall in every single bite.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Bars

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to baking success. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is important for achieving the best moist pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting:

• Ground Cinnamon: This classic spice provides a warm, comforting base flavor that is quintessential to pumpkin desserts. Adding extra cinnamon enhances the aromatic depth of the bars.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice, pumpkin pie spice delivers that signature cozy fall flavor profile. It’s the perfect shortcut to a complex spice mix!
• Egg Whites: Instead of whole eggs, we use beaten egg whites to give these pumpkin bars their wonderfully light and fluffy texture. Beating them until foamy incorporates air, contributing to a tender crumb.
• Vegetable Oil: The secret to incredibly moist pumpkin bars! Vegetable oil helps to keep the cake tender and prevents it from drying out, ensuring every bite is delightfully soft and rich.
• Pumpkin Puree: This is crucial! Always opt for Libby’s pumpkin puree (the large 29 oz can), not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices, which would throw off the balance of this recipe. You want pure pumpkin for the best, most natural flavor and perfect texture.
• Cream Cheese: For the frosting, ensure your cream cheese is completely softened to room temperature. This is key for a smooth, lump-free consistency that blends effortlessly with the butter and powdered sugar.
• Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar is essential for a smooth frosting. Sifting it before adding helps prevent lumps and ensures a truly velvety finish.
• Unsalted Butter: For the frosting, use unsalted butter softened to room temperature. This allows you to control the salt content and ensures it creams beautifully with the cream cheese.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of good quality vanilla extract enhances all the flavors in both the bars and the frosting, adding a touch of sweetness and depth.
• Milk: A tiny bit of milk helps adjust the frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency. Start with a small amount and add more as needed.

Baking Perfection: Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating these heavenly pumpkin bars is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps for a truly rewarding baking experience:

1. Prepare Your Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Sifting helps to aerate the flour and ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing lumps in your batter. Set this mixture aside.
2. Combine the Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), add the egg whites. Whisk them until they become light and foamy – this step incorporates air for a tender bar. Switch to the paddle attachment (or continue with your hand mixer). Add the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and the entire can of pumpkin puree. Mix on medium speed until all the ingredients are well combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

3. Gently Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture. Mix on low speed until *just combined*. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough, dry bars. Stop as soon as no streaks of dry flour remain.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Pour the pumpkin bar batter evenly into a prepared baking sheet that has been generously sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the Libby’s pumpkin bars comes out clean. A few moist crumbs are okay, but you shouldn’t see any wet batter. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. This is a crucial step – frosting warm bars will result in a melty mess!

5. Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting: While your bars are cooling, prepare the glorious cream cheese frosting. In the bowl of your stand mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and softened cream cheese together until smooth and light, about 2-3 minutes. This ensures a creamy, lump-free base. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until fully incorporated. Finally, add the vanilla extract and beat until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add milk a teaspoon at a time until you achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. (I typically use about 1 teaspoon of milk).
6. Frost and Serve: Once the pumpkin bars are completely cool to the touch, use an offset spatula or knife to generously spread the homemade cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Cut the bars into squares or rectangles and serve immediately! Garnish with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice if desired for an extra touch of elegance.

Expert Tips for the Best Pumpkin Bars

To ensure your pumpkin bars turn out perfectly every time, keep these valuable tips in mind:

• Egg White Consistency: When whisking the egg whites, aim for a milky white, frothy appearance. This stage is just before soft peaks form. Incorporating air at this point helps create truly soft and tender pumpkin bars. Don’t overdo it, as stiff peaks are not needed here.
• Don’t Skip the Frosting: While the pumpkin bars are delicious on their own, the creamy, tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting is what truly makes this recipe shine. It adds the perfect balance of richness and softness, transforming them into an irresistible dessert. For an extra special touch, consider trying these with my Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting for an even deeper, nutty flavor.
• Adjusting Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too thick, add milk very sparingly, just a splash at a time, beating after each addition until you reach the desired spreadable consistency. Remember, a little goes a long way! If you accidentally add too much milk, you can easily thicken it back up by beating in a little more sifted powdered sugar until it’s perfect.
• Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: For the frosting, always use room temperature butter and cream cheese. Pull them out of the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before you plan to start baking. The butter should be soft enough to indent with your finger but not greasy or melted. This ensures everything combines smoothly, preventing lumps and creating a beautifully uniform frosting.
• Measuring Flour Accurately: Avoid packing your flour into the measuring cup. Instead, lightly spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Too much flour can lead to dry, dense bars.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaking is the quickest way to dry out pumpkin bars. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of baking. The toothpick test is your best friend: it should come out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached. The bars will continue to set slightly as they cool.
• Pan Size Matters: This recipe is designed for a standard jelly roll pan (roughly 10×15 inches). Using a different size might affect baking time and the thickness of your bars, so adjust accordingly.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: These easy pumpkin bars are a fantastic recipe to bring to a Halloween party, Thanksgiving dinner, or any fall gathering. They feed a crowd and are universally loved, making them a stress-free dessert option that always gets rave reviews!

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

These pumpkin bars are wonderful for meal prep or for making in advance for parties. Here’s how to handle them:

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the pumpkin bars a day in advance. Once completely cooled, cover them tightly with plastic wrap at room temperature. If they are frosted, they must be refrigerated to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh.
• Storing the Frosting: If you want to make the cream cheese frosting ahead of time, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Before frosting the bars, remove it from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, beat it again briefly with a mixer to restore its fluffy, spreadable texture.
• Storing Frosted Bars: Frosted pumpkin bars must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for 3-5 days. Bringing them to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving can enhance their flavor and texture.
• Freezing Pumpkin Bars (Unfrosted): For the best results, it’s ideal to freeze the pumpkin bars without the frosting, as cream cheese frosting doesn’t fully firm up when frozen and can become watery upon thawing. Tightly wrap the cooled, unfrosted sheet of pumpkin bars (or individual squares) in several layers of plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. You can freeze them in the sheet pan or transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They will keep for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then prepare and spread the fresh cream cheese frosting just before serving.
• Freezing Pumpkin Bars (Frosted – with caution): If you absolutely must freeze them with the frosting, first flash freeze the pan of frosted bars uncovered for about an hour or until the frosting is as firm as possible. This prevents the plastic wrap from sticking. Then, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil. While possible, the texture of the frosting may be slightly altered upon thawing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Common Questions About Pumpkin Bars Answered

More Irresistible Pumpkin Recipes to Try

If you’re a true pumpkin enthusiast, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic pumpkin-inspired treats that are perfect for any occasion:

• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread: A wonderfully moist quick bread, studded with sweet chocolate chips.
• Starbucks Pumpkin Scone Recipe: Recreate your favorite coffee shop treat at home with this perfectly spiced scone.
• Crumbl Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: Big, soft, and chewy cookies bursting with pumpkin and chocolate flavor.
• Pumpkin Layer Cake: A showstopping cake for any celebration, featuring tender pumpkin layers and cream cheese frosting.
• Libby’s Pumpkin Roll: An elegant and impressive dessert with a delicate pumpkin cake rolled around a creamy filling.