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Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar Frosting Recipe

Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar Frosting Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 11 reviews

These Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar Frosting offer a moist, spiced pumpkin base topped with a rich, creamy cinnamon-infused brown sugar frosting. Perfect for fall gatherings, this easy-to-make dessert combines classic autumn flavors with a luscious, fluffy topping for a crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bars:

  • 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup (133 grams) packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, at cool room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (212 grams) pumpkin puree
  • 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

For the Frosting:

  • 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (188 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon milk, plus more if needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat & Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8 by 8-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients for Bars: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave the butter until melted. Allow it to cool to about 80°F. Once cooled, whisk in the light brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree until well combined.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients for Bars: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, baking soda, and fine sea salt until evenly mixed.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the wet butter and pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. The batter will be thick. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan using a spatula.
  5. Bake the Bars: Bake for 25 minutes or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake. Remove from oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. Prepare the Frosting: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the room temperature butter and light brown sugar on medium-high speed until light, fluffy, and smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula.
  7. Add Spices and Sugar to Frosting: Add the ground cinnamon and fine sea salt to the butter mixture. On low speed, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar until fully incorporated.
  8. Finish Frosting: Mix in the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of milk. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 2-3 minutes until the frosting is very light and fluffy. Adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar if too runny or more milk if too thick.
  9. Frost the Bars: Spread the prepared frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars using a spatula.
  10. Serve and Store: Cut the frosted pumpkin bars into squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • This recipe can easily be doubled to fit a 9 by 13-inch pan; simply double all ingredients and increase the baking time by a few minutes.
  • Ensure the butter for the bars is cooled to about 80°F before mixing to avoid cooking the egg when combined.
  • Do not overbake the bars to keep them moist and tender.
  • Adjust the frosting thickness by adding powdered sugar or milk as needed for spreading consistency.
  • Use fresh pumpkin puree and quality spices for the best flavor.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bars, brown sugar frosting, pumpkin dessert, fall dessert, easy pumpkin recipe, spiced pumpkin bars

Find it online: https://messykitchenmagic.com/pumpkin-bars-with-brown-sugar-frosting-recipe/