Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl are soft, warmly spiced dessert bars layered with a rich, tangy cream cheese swirl. Moist, lightly sweet, and perfectly balanced, they’re an easy fall treat that feels both comforting and just a little elevated—ideal for everything from casual coffee moments to holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Pumpkin Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper, letting it hang over the sides for easy removal.
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin, eggs, and oil until smooth.
- Gently mix the wet and dry ingredients—just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then mix in egg and milk.
- Spread the pumpkin batter into the pan, drizzle the cream cheese mixture over the top, and use a knife to create soft swirls.
- Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting into clean, even squares.
Notes
Nutrition per serving (estimated): 210 kcal · 11g fat (2g saturated) · 27g carbohydrates · 1g fiber · 20g sugar · 3g protein · 147mg sodium · 54mg cholesterol. Calculated from the ingredients listed; treat as an estimate.