It’s Fall here and there is no better way to celebrate the cooler temps than with pumpkin-spiced EVERYTHING! Yes, I’m that gal. I love pumpkin and spice flavors…however, I don’t care for overly-sugary, overly-spiced anything. So, that’s why I came up with these delicious sheet pan bars that can be served anytime and anywhere. They are super soft with the most tender crumb that are deliciously-spiced with all the flavors of Fall. These bars will please a crowd AND the frosting is quite possibly the very best brown butter frosting you will EVER taste. Let me introduce you to my Spiced Pumpkin Bars with Brown Butter Frosting.
Different Pumpkin Bars
I’m certain you’re thinking to yourself right now – not another pumpkin bar recipe. (Insert eye roll)
Yes, I know that there are about a bazillion different recipes out there for homemade pumpkin bars.
However, you have not met the most perfect pumpkin bar yet.
This recipe is SO moist. They almost melt in your mouth. They have the most insanely tender crumb.
These pumpkin bars are hefty in size. I bake them in a jelly roll pan so they will feed a nice-sized crowd. Or my family of 5 for like a day (because they are that good.) If you don’t own a jelly roll pan, bake them in a 9 x 13 cake pan and add a few minutes to your baking time.
These spiced pumpkin bars can be made with a gluten-free flour substitute blend, such as Cup-4-Cup. And, guess what? They turn out JUST AS GOOD!
And, last but certainly not least, these spiced pumpkin bars have the most delicious brown butter frosting YOU WILL EVER TASTE. I dream about this frosting, my friends.
I hope I have your attention!
One-Bowl Wonder Spiced Pumpkin Bars
Here’s the really cool thing about these pumpkin bars: they require no small kitchen appliances to make the batter. And, the ingredients can be combined in one single bowl, then spread out onto the jelly roll pan! This makes clean-up a breeze and as a busy person, I can certainly appreciate this…and I bet you can, too!
All you do is grab one mixing bowl, whisk and a rubber spatula.
Combine the dry ingredients first and whisk them together. This is done to ensure that your leavening agents are mixed thoroughly.
After that, dump your wet ingredients into this same mixing bowl – the eggs, pumpkin and oil. Stir until everything is combined, but taking care not to over-stir. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and VOILA! EZ-PZ!
Brown Butter Frosting
Seriously, for the love of all things good and delicious, please do NOT skip this brown butter frosting to top your spiced pumpkin bars.
Many classic homemade pumpkin bars include a thick cream-cheese frosting and those are good.
But these spiced pumpkin bars are taken to the next level using salted butter that has been slightly browned over heat. Then, once the brown butter is cool, we mix it with powdered sugar, milk and a hint of the warming spice, cinnamon. I really love how brown butter elevates the flavors of these homemade, super easy pumpkin bars.
I can assure you that anyone I’ve ever served these pumpkin bars to have been amazed at what a difference the brown butter frosting makes! They are most definitely the best pumpkin bars you’ll find – in my humble opinion 😉
VOILA – The BEST Pumpkin Bar Recipe
Once your bars are done baking and are completely cool, slather on that rich brown butter frosting. Occasionally, I’ll even drizzle a little salted caramel or sprinkle a cinnamon-sugar mixture on the very top as shown below – WHOA! Enjoy these with a steaming mug of coffee or apple cider. And just try to east only one – I dare you!
These homemade pumpkin bars are great served at a small party, family gathering, church potluck – just about anywhere there are people who enjoy delicious treats!
After that, here are just a few of the other fall-inspired recipes I have on the blog – try one today!
- Bacon Pecan Pie Squares
- Spiced Apple Hand Pies with Maple Butter Drizzle
- Oktoberfest Beer Pretzels + Smoky Cheddar Cheese
- Indian-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
Until next time…Eat Well. Travel Often. Love Much.
XOXO
Pumpkin Bars with Brown Butter Frosting
The most delicious & very BEST pumpkin bars with the dreamiest Brown Butter Frosting has arrived. These one bowl bars are super easy to make and the brown butter frosting will be the 'icing on the cake!'
Ingredients
- Bars:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour OR Cup-4-Cup Gluten Free Flour Blend
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 2 dashes of all-spice (a little less than 1/8 tsp.)
- 4 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 - 15 oz. can pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup vegetable oil OR melted coconut oil
- Brown Butter Frosting:
- 2/3 cup salted butter, browned & cooled
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 5 T. milk (I use whole milk for the creamiest frosting)
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place parchment paper in a 15 x 10 x 1 jelly roll pan OR spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Step 2 In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients from flour—>all-spice. Using a rubber spatula, add the lightly-beaten eggs, pumpkin and oil.
- Step 3 Stir the mixture until just combined. Do not over-stir.
- Step 4 Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 25-28 minutes until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (My oven takes exactly 25 minutes.)
- Step 5 While your bars are baking, make the frosting: Using a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat just until melted. Continue heating until the butter turns a light golden brown on the bottom and starts to smell slightly nutty. Be careful not to over-brown. Once browned, remove the saucepan from heat and pour brown butter into heat-proof glass bowl to cool.
- Step 6 Next, In your stand mixer’s bowl or a large mixing bowl (if you’re using a hand mixer), combine the 4 cups of powdered sugar, 5 T. milk, cinnamon and vanilla. Add the cooled brown butter to the mixture and beat on low speed just until combined. Turn the mixing speed to medium to finish whipping the mixture to a nice spreading consistency. Depending on the humidity in your home that day, you may need to add just a little more milk to thin your frosting mixture, but start with the 5 T. and go from there.
- Step 7 Once the bars have completed baking, cool completely. Frost the bars once they have cooled completely.
- Step 8 Sprinkle the tops of the bars with a little cinnamon-sugar mixture, if desired. Enjoy!
OMG these pumpkin bars look amazing! I love pumpkin and spice too. I have never had brown butter frosting but after seeing these, I think I need to!!