Description

Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar Frosting are a cozy fall dessert that’s moist, warmly spiced, and topped with a fluffy, buttery brown sugar cinnamon frosting. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or quiet weekend baking, this easy pumpkin recipe comes together quickly and brings all the comforting flavors of autumn in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bars:

1 stick unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin purée
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp fine sea salt

For the Brown Sugar Frosting:

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp fine sea salt
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp milk (plus more as needed)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang.
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and pumpkin purée.
In another bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
Spread batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Make the Frosting:

In a bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
Mix in cinnamon and salt.
Gradually beat in powdered sugar, then add vanilla and milk. Beat until smooth and creamy.
Spread frosting over cooled bars. Cut into 9 large or 16 smaller squares.

Notes

Do not overbake—the bars should stay soft and moist.

Use only pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling.

If frosting is grainy, beat longer to dissolve the brown sugar.

Store in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or in the fridge for 4–5 days.

Unfrosted bars can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Desserts
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American