The Best Pumpkin Spice Bars with Maple Frosting! Try this easy recipe for pumpkin bars made without cream cheese frosting. You can make them gluten-free and dairy-free with substitutions. Yummy Fall Recipes!
Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice in a bowl and set aside.
With an electric mixer, combine room temperature butter and sugar for about 5-minutes at high speed until the texture is light and fluffy.
Mix in the eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin purée. Combine for 1-minute at a medium-low speed.
Mix in the dry ingredients. Combine for about 30-seconds.
Transfer batter to a greased baking dish (I used a ceramic 6 x 10 pan) and bake for about 38-45 minutes. Baking time will depend on the size and material of your pan. Pay attention to the bars while they are cooking, and use the toothpick method to determine whether they're done. The edges will be golden brown, and the toothpick should come out clean after poking the center.
Let the bars cool for about 40-minutes on the countertop or 25-minutes in the refrigerator. You'll want them slightly warm while applying the frosting.
MAPLE FROSTING
Combine powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
Mix in the maple syrup. While the bars are still slightly warm, evenly spread the frosting over the top.
Let the bars cool for about 20-40 minutes in the refrigerator. Slice into 12- 15 even bars (depending on your pan size!)
Keyword pumpkin bars, maple frosting, dessert, fall baking, fall party desserts, pumpkin spice, fall recipes