Pumpkin Spice Dessert Bars Recipe

Can you believe that we’re just three weeks away from Thanksgiving? If you’ll be hosting this year, now’s the time to start planning your meal! If you’re just attending {like me}, you may still need to pick out a dish to bring to the table.

I like to bring a dessert every year- I’ve never been one for pie, so I always bring something to add to the dessert spread so that I know there’s something for me {and anyone else who wants it}! Usually I just do some cute cupcakes but this year I think I’m going to bring these Pumpkin Spice Dessert Bars.

Everything about these Pumpkin Spice Dessert Bars is homemade, down to the rich cream cheese frosting. They are easy to make- the hardest thing about them will be saving enough room at dinner to enjoy them! The bars contain real pumpkin and also include applesauce, so while they taste like a dessert, they do have some nutritional value as well!

Pumpkin Spice Dessert Bars

Ingredients:

-1 can of pumpkin (about 14.5 oz.)
-3 eggs
-1 C. applesauce
-2 C. flour
-2 tsp. cinnamon
-½ tsp. ginger
-½ tsp. nutmeg
-1 tsp. baking soda
-2 tsp. baking powder
-Pinch of salt
-9×13 baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray your 9×13 baking dish {I use this one} with the non-stick spray of your choice.

2. In a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients and mix well.

3. In another bowl, combine the dry ingredients, again mixing well. Slowly fold the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients.

4. Pour the batter into the 9×13 baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes. The bars are done when you can insert a toothpick and remove it cleanly.

5. Let the bars cool completely before frosting with Cream Cheese Frosting! {See below}

Frosting Ingredients:

-¼ C. butter, softened to room temperature

-1 tsp. vanilla

-2 C. powdered sugar

Frosting Directions:

Using a hand mixer, combine the softened butter and the vanilla until the mixture is nice and creamy. Slowly add in the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

These bars are best when eaten within 3-4 days and should be stored in an airtight container.

What is your preferred Thanksgiving dessert?