Warm, rich, and bursting with fall flavors, these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars are the ultimate treat for cozy autumn days. With a buttery oat crust and a smooth pumpkin cream cheese filling, these bars combine the comforting flavors of pumpkin spice with a creamy twist. Perfect for gatherings, holiday feasts, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, these bars are easy to make and will surely be a hit with family and friends.
Ingredients
For the Crust/Topping:
- 13 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Filling:
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room-temperature butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add in the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt, mixing until combined. The mixture should have a crumbly texture but hold its shape when gently pressed together.
- Press the Crust: Take half of the oat mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even crust.
- Combine the Cream Cheese and Condensed Milk: In another mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, mixing until smooth and creamy.
- Add Flavor and Pumpkin: Stir in the vanilla extract, egg yolk, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin puree, mixing until all ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the pumpkin cream cheese filling over the prepared crust in the baking pan, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved oat crumble mixture evenly over the pumpkin filling.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set. Take the pan out of the oven and let the bars cool completely while still in the pan.
- Chill and Serve : For best results, refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour before cutting them into squares. This will help the filling to firm up and make slicing easier.Serve the dish either chilled or at room temperature, with an optional sprinkle of powdered sugar for garnish.
Conclusion:
These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars are the perfect dessert to embrace the flavors of fall. With a buttery oat crust and a smooth pumpkin filling, they’re a delightful balance of sweet, creamy, and spiced warmth. Serve them as a treat for family gatherings or holiday events, and enjoy the comfort of autumn in each bite.
Decadent Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars with Oat Crumble Topping
Ingredients
For the Crust/Topping:
- 13 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Filling:
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room-temperature butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add in the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt, mixing until combined. The mixture should have a crumbly texture but hold its shape when gently pressed together.
- Press the Crust: Take half of the oat mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even crust.
- Combine the Cream Cheese and Condensed Milk: In another mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, mixing until smooth and creamy.
- Add Flavor and Pumpkin: Stir in the vanilla extract, egg yolk, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin puree, mixing until all ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the pumpkin cream cheese filling over the prepared crust in the baking pan, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved oat crumble mixture evenly over the pumpkin filling.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set. Take the pan out of the oven and let the bars cool completely while still in the pan.
- Chill and Serve : For best results, refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour before cutting them into squares. This will help the filling to firm up and make slicing easier. Serve the dish either chilled or at room temperature, with an optional sprinkle of powdered sugar for garnish.