Description
Delightful Pumpkin Bars elevate seasonal baking with simple ingredients and easy preparation. Warm spices and creamy texture make these bars a perfect autumn treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 15 oz pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
Spice Blend:
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Topping:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and eggs, whisking until a smooth, uniform batter forms.
- Sprinkle the pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg into the batter, gently folding to distribute the warm spices evenly throughout.
- Pour the spiced batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it into an even layer that reaches all corners.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour.
- For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzling consistency is achieved.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper edges, then cut into squares.
- Drizzle the vanilla glaze generously over the cooled bars, allowing it to cascade down the sides.
- Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes before serving, creating a delectable autumn-inspired dessert.
Notes
- Swap cake mix for gluten-free alternatives to make these bars celiac-friendly and accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Reduce oil by half and substitute with unsweetened applesauce for a lighter, lower-calorie version without compromising texture.
- Enhance spice profile by adding ground ginger or cardamom for deeper, more complex autumn flavor notes.
- Consider adding chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking to introduce delightful crunch and nutty undertones.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg