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🎃 Soft, moist Pumpkin Bars layered with Nutella buttercream – your new favorite fall bake! Quick, delicious, and crowd-pleasing! 😍
Pumpkin Bars Recipe
If you’re looking for a dessert that captures all the cozy flavors of fall, this is it. This easy pumpkin bars recipe is soft, moist, and perfectly spiced, with a layer of creamy Nutella buttercream frosting that takes it to the next level. Out of all the pumpkin bars recipes, this one stands out for its simplicity and crowd-pleasing flavor. It’s truly the best pumpkin bars recipe for autumn gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet pumpkin treat.
Unlike some complicated desserts, this easy pumpkin bars recipe comes together quickly with pantry staples and no special tools. Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving dessert, a bake sale, or just because, these bars will become your new fall favorite. Save this pumpkin bars recipe to make again and again – it’s one of the easiest pumpkin bars recipes you’ll ever try.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients and one-bowl prep
- Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and cloves
- Moist, soft texture that stays fresh for days
- Nutella buttercream adds a rich, chocolatey twist
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
Pumpkin Bars
- all-purpose flour – no substitute recommended for best texture
- granulated sugar – substitute with light brown sugar for a deeper flavor
- baking powder – ensures the bars rise properly
- ground cinnamon – use pumpkin pie spice if preferred
- baking soda – works with the acid in the pumpkin for lift
- ground cloves – optional, but adds warmth
- eggs – use 4 large eggs for structure and moisture
- pure pumpkin – do not substitute with pumpkin pie filling
- vegetable oil – substitute with canola oil or melted coconut oil
Nutella Buttercream Frosting
- butter, softened – substitute with margarine if needed
- Nutella – use any chocolate-hazelnut spread
- milk – substitute with heavy cream for a richer frosting
- powdered sugar – no substitute recommended
✨ Variations
- Add mini chocolate chips or chopped pecans to the batter for extra texture.
- Swap the Nutella buttercream for cream cheese frosting if you prefer a tangy finish.
- Top with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra decadent touch.
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🔥 Tips
❓ FAQs
Yes, this easy pumpkin bars recipe keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just bring them to room temperature before serving.
Yes! This pumpkin bars recipe doubles perfectly for larger gatherings.
Absolutely. Cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream works great, too. You can even use chocolate frosting if you like!
Yes! You can mix the batter by hand with a whisk or wooden spoon. The key is to stir just until everything is combined, keeping the bars tender.
Yes, just be sure to use cooked and puréed pumpkin with a similar consistency to canned. If it’s too watery, strain it first.
You can reduce the sugar by about ¼ cup without significantly affecting the texture, but it will make the bars less sweet.
Absolutely! The bars are flavorful enough to serve plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, they’re ready to cool.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
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Pumpkin Bars
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Equipment
- 15x10x1-inch baking pan
- hand mixer or stand mixer
- rubber spatula
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoons ground cloves
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 can pure pumpkin, (not pumpkin pie filling), 15 oz.
- 1 cup vegetable oil
For the Nutella Buttercream Frosting
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup Nutella
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and cloves.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoons baking soda, 1/4 teaspoons ground cloves
- Add eggs, pumpkin, and oil. Mix on medium speed until fully combined.4 large eggs, 1 can pure pumpkin, 1 cup vegetable oil
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- For the frosting, beat butter, Nutella, and milk until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup Nutella, 3 tablespoons milk, 2 cups powdered sugar
- Spread or pipe frosting over cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store frosted pumpkin bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Let the bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
♨️ REHEATING
- These bars are best served chilled or at room temperature.
- If preferred slightly warm, remove from the fridge and let them rest at room temperature. Do not microwave or heat, as the frosting may melt.
❄️ FREEZING
- Store unfrosted pumpkin bars in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then frost before serving.
- Avoid freezing frosted bars, as the frosting may change texture once thawed.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
- Sift powdered sugar for a smooth, lump-free buttercream.
- Chill frosted bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing for clean edges.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Bake in two 9-inch square pans for thicker bars; increase bake time slightly.
- Make as cupcakes – bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.
- For smaller batches, halve the recipe and bake in an 8×8-inch pan.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Keep leftover bars in the refrigerator and enjoy within 5 days.
- Bring to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor and a creamy frosting texture.
- Leftover frosting can be spread on cookies, cupcakes, or even pancakes for a sweet treat.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I've never tried nutella buttercream, and I think that's a HUGE crime! I have to try this, thank you!!
Oooh – yes! Add Nutella Buttercream to your list of things to try – it is amazing! 😉
Jamie,Your pumpkin bars look so moist. I would LOVE the Nutella Buttercream Frosting. I will hop over too and check it out. Blessings,Diane RoarkHAPPY FALL!
They are so soft and moist! Thanks so much for stopping by, Diane!
Hopping over to pin 😉
Thanks, Linda! 🙂